Govt. investigates shrimpers in Gulf turtle deaths

[The Straight Story]

Govt. investigates shrimpers in Gulf turtle deaths


GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — Federal fisheries officials are investigating whether aggressive shrimpers or other fishermen are causing the deaths of endangered sea turtles that have been washing up on Gulf Coast beaches with no signs of oil, an official said Wednesday.

Investigators will look at whether some shrimp boats taking part in an emergency shrimping season ahead of the Gulf oil spill removed devices from their nets that are intended to allow turtles to escape, said Sheryan Epperly, sea turtle team leader for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

"The agency has been trying to collect information on not just the trawling fisheries but any other fishing that may have been going on in the area," Epperly said. "If the turtle excluder device is not properly used, then that likely could lead to the deaths of any turtles that get caught in the nets."

Wildlife officials say at least 35 endangered sea turtles have washed up on Gulf coast beaches, but it's not clear what's killing them. Necropsies have shown no signs of oil.

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[underseasurveyor]

1. If that's the case

That the posts on these turtles show no signs of oil, not that I agree at all if it's the case, but the shrimpers may figure on gettin' while the gettin's good and the turtles will probably die because of the oil anyway.

Sad Sad Sad situation no matter how you look at it... tragic for the people, the marine life, birds, mammals. :-( fuck!

[Canuckistanian]

2. I heard a shrimper interviewed this morning

He said that it's a lie that shrimpers are killing the turtles.

But then of course, he doesn't speak for ALL the shrimpers.