http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25212







Protect sea turtles from trawl fisheries

Sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans for more than 100 million years. While they have been able to survive many challenges, sea turtles are not equipped to withstand the threats that humans pose.

All six species of sea turtles in U.S. waters were listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act more than 30 years ago, yet no sea turtle species has recovered. In fact, for some species, such as the loggerhead sea turtle, their populations continue to decline. Despite this status, commercial trawl fisheries continue to catch and kill loggerhead sea turtles.

Nontarget fish and wildlife caught by commercial fishing vessels is often discarded, dead or dying. This bycatch is an enormous problem throughout the world. In trawl fisheries, a large net is pulled through the water and scoops up everything in its path, including sea turtles. There is a partial solution though. Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) are escape hatches that allow large species, such as sea turtles, to leave the nets. Trawl nets equipped with properly functioning TEDs could lead to a 97% reduction in sea turtle entrapment. Unfortunately, the government has yet to require TEDs in all trawl fisheries that are known to catch and even kill sea turtles. An estimated 770 sea turtles are caught annually in Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl fisheries alone. Of these fisheries, only the summer flounder fishery is currently required to use TEDs.

The National Marine Fisheries Service recognized this problem and issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on February 15, 2007. Issuing a proposed rule would be the first step towards getting in the water requirements to protect turtles from trawl nets. But more than two years later, the proposed regulations have yet to be released. In the meantime trawl nets continue to catch and kill sea turtles.

Sea turtles need your help. Help urge the government to rapidly complete a rule to reduce sea turtle takes in trawl fisheries by requiring turtle excluder devices.

Ask the National Marine Fisheries Service to support efforts to protect sea turtles from trawl fisheries.

For the oceans,
Elizabeth Griffin
Marine Scientist and Fisheries Campaign Director
Oceana

http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25212