Leatherback sea turtles extinct? Not on our watch

[Omaha Steve]

Cross posted in pets.

Pacific leatherback sea turtles have survived ice ages, major volcanic events, meteor impacts and natural predators in the sea. But their nearly 100 million years on this planet could come to an end because of a simpler but deadlier foe: us. In the last two decades alone, Pacific leatherback sea turtle populations have declined by 80% or more, in large part due to drowning in commercial fishing gear, especially in pelagic longlines and drift gillnets.




>> Take action by November 7 to protect the sea turtles!

http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=5807&utm_source=20061103_SeatTurtles&utm_medium=email

Knowing this, the agency in charge of protecting leatherbacks, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), established a Pacific Leatherback Conservation Area off the Oregon and California coasts in 2001 to give leatherbacks a safe place to feed and migrate without threat of drowning in fishing gear. Since the closure, not a single leatherback sea turtle has been reported caught and killed in the entire fishery.

Now the Fisheries Service may soon give in to calls by drift gillnetters to re-open the closed area during the leatherback migration. The record is clear. The closure works. It would be irresponsible for this agency to put a species already struggling to survive at risk. Furthermore, the fishery is the deadliest on the West Coast for other wildlife too, including other turtles, dolphins and porpoise, seals and sea lions, and even large whales

Time is running out to save these amazing creatures. Pacific decision makers considering reopening the Pacific Leatherback Conservation Area are making a decision this month. To let your voice be heard, please send a comment before November 7.

For the oceans,
Susan Murray
Acting Director, North Pacific Office



P.S. If you want to learn more about the threats facing these sea turtles, check out this wonderful commentary by my colleague in California.


http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/opinion/15765519.htm