Hundreds of international scientists from 83 countries are urging the United Nations to implement a moratorium on commercial longline fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Though it’s mainly to protect a fast-shrinking population of the biggest turtle in the world, the endangered leatherback, there are other concerns as well.

Some 4.4 million sharks, seabirds, billfish and marine mammals are maimed or killed as bycatch, from Pacific longlines. But, populations of the leatherback have plummeted 95 percent since 1980. At the present rate of longline bykill, this turtle species won’t last long. Since they’re highly migratory, an international solution is needed.

Opposition to longlining continues to mount. The scientists are joined by 203 non-governmental organizations from 54 countries.

“The UN General Assembly passed a resolution last November calling for prohibitions of destructive fishing practices. The first place to start is by implementing a moratorium on longline fishing,” said Dr. Robert Ovetz, coordinator for Save the Leatherback Campaign. The UN has banned destructive fishing methods in the past, such as an international moratorium on high seas drift netting.