recognized as a severe threat to turtle populations. It has been acknowledged that fishing nets are the most devastating of fishing equipment to turtles, whether turtles are hunted intentionally or not. By region Australia In Australia it is estimated that 326 turtles from 6 different species, including the flatback sea turtle (Narator depressa) accounting for 59% of captures, and the hawksbill sea turtle accounting for 5%, were captured between 1989 and 1990. Africa With a coast line of approximately 30,000 km, it is evident that Africa relies greatly on the fishing industry to feed the people and also as a trade product between other countries. It is estimated that in Africa, an average of 180 turtles are caught per year using fishing hooks alone. Capture rate of turtles using a standard fishing hook is approximately 16 in 100,000. A sixteenth of the captured turtles are leatherback sea turtles, a species of turtle in which population numbers are declining. Conservation ecologists have estimated that should fishing efforts increase and fishing distribution remain the same, these numbers will increase to 770 turtles per year, threatening risked species of turtle. Madagascar The radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) in Madagascar is in serious decline due to over-exploitation. The tortoise is protected under Malagasy law and is part of CITES, however enforcement is low and hunting persists. Guards that are meant to protect the tortoise and prevent hunting are often paid off by the hunters. Mexico In Mexico sea turtles have been used for medicine, food and decoration since the 13th century. While hunting turtles is strictly forbidden in Mexico, approximately 35,000 turtles have been poached per year within the last decade around Baja California Sur. An estimated 65% of captured turtles are thought to be green sea turtles, while 10% consist of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. The most common way poachers capture turtles is using a net designed specifically for turtles, which costs around $660. The majority of the poachers are local fisherman, who earn approximately US$78 per week. The turtles are sold locally, or reach the international black market where they fetch a profit of US$58 per turtle. The maximum punishment in Mexico for the poaching of turtles is nine years in jail and a fine of US$11,000. Poachers told researchers that the most efficient way of avoiding being caught is to either physically avoid patrols by driving away from them, or by