Stronger
Sea Turtle Protections Targeted by Congress
Posted June 27, 2012 09:59 am | Public News Service
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Congress is weighing in on a rule that advocates say could save the lives of thousands of sea turtles every year.
Links of interest:
•
NOAA Fisheries: Office of Protected Resources
•
Defenders of Wildlife
Florida sea turtles turn up injured or dead in neighboring states because of the use of shrimp nets off the Gulf and south Atlantic coasts. Florida requires the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in all shrimp-fishing gear - but nationally, TEDS are required only for some fishing boats.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has recommended
a rule to require escape hatches for turtles in the nets
of all shrimp-fishing boats. Marydele Donnelly, director
of international policy for the Sea Turtle Conservancy,
explains why it's important to use the TEDs.
"Thousands and thousands of turtles have died because
people have resisted using the technology, or have
refused to use it. "
The National Marine Fisheries Service is in charge of
authorizing commercial fishing practices in U.S. waters.
Sierra Weaver, senior staff attorney for Defenders of
Wildlife, explains why her group is concerned about this
latest development. "While the agency is moving forward,
folks in Congress - who claim to be concerned about the
economic impact - are trying to circumvent that process
and cut it off before it even starts."
Opponents of mandating use of TEDs say the devices
affect their ability to catch shrimp and other, smaller
sea life. Weaver counters that Florida fishermen already
successfully use TEDs in shallow waters.
Defenders of Wildlife feels strongly enough about the
benefits of using TEDS to take public comments on its
website. Weaver says, adding that she hopes Floridians
weigh in.
"This is actually the time when the public should be
weighing in with any information they might have about
the needs for the proposed rule to protect the species,
any economic challenges there might be out there - and
the agency can take a look at all of it."
The House of Representatives passed a rider, attached to
a larger appropriations bill, to take away funding to
implement the new TED regulation the feds are
recommending. The Senate is expected to take up the bill
in the coming weeks.
The public can comment on the proposal until July 9 at defenders.org.
Links added by the Observer