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U.S. Ocean Commission Report Ignores Sea Turtles |
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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, Jun. 1 -/E-Wire/--
The recently released Preliminary Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy fails to address the conservation needs of threatened and endangered sea turtles. Marine scientists and conservation groups are shocked that the 400-page report ignores sea turtles and the increasing threats to their survival. The report is open for public comment by the nation's governors and interested stakeholders until June 4, 2004. After reviewing public comments, the Commission will submit to President Bush and Congress formal recommendations for a new, comprehensive national ocean policy.
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According to Florida-based Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC), sea turtles would be ignored into extinction if the nation's ocean policies are based solely on this preliminary report. CCC is leading efforts to highlight the report's shortcomings with respect to marine turtles.
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"Governors in coastal states, as well as conservation groups and the concerned public, need to speak up to ensure that the Ocean Commission fully addresses the conservation needs of sea turtles," said Gary Appelson, Policy Coordinator for CCC. "Many coastal states, such as Florida, have invested considerable resources to ensure that people and marine turtles can coexist and share our nation's coastal waters and beaches. Our nation's ocean policies need to recognize and share in this commitment to sea turtle survival."
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One section of the Ocean Policy (Protecting Marine Mammals and Endangered Species) is almost entirely devoted to marine mammals, with only a brief and inaccurate reference to sea turtles. The report states, "the threats to endangered marine species such as marine turtles… are myriad and not easily categorized." In fact, there is an extensive record on the specific threats to sea turtles, and much of it is easily available, clearly documented, and well categorized. Many states document the number of sea turtle hatchlings disoriented by beachfront lighting and keep statistics on the numbers of sea turtles killed and the causes. The National Research Council in 1990 published a thorough analysis of the threats to marine turtles. Commercial fishing practices such as longlining and shrimp trawling are recognized as major sources of sea turtle mortality in the open ocean.
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"The Ocean Report ignores the pivotal role that states play in enforcing the Endangered Species Act and protecting sea turtles," Appelson added. "It fails to acknowledge the activities of southeastern coastal states in monitoring, managing and protecting sea turtle nesting beaches and educating the public about sea turtle conservation."
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According to Appelson and the CCC, the preliminary report is just a first step, but it is essential that the Commission's final recommendations consider the importance of sea turtles and acknowledge the many threats to their survival by describing the sort of actions needed to ensure the recovery of sea turtle populations.
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The Florida-based Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) is the oldest organization in the world dedicated to the study and protection of sea turtles. CCC was founded as a non-profit group in 1959 by the late Dr. Archie Carr, a renowned zoologist and natural history writer. CCC uses research, education and public outreach as its main tools in protecting sea turtles in the Wider Caribbean and Atlantic. For more information about CCC and its research and education programs, visit the CCC web site at www.cccturtle.org
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/SOURCE:
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Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) |
-0-
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06-01-2004 |
/CONTACT:
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David Godfrey,
or
Gary Appelson,
CCC,
(352) 373-6441 |
| /WEB SITE: |
http://www.cccturtle.org
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