William Atkins
Friday, 12 March 2010 02:50
Science -
Climate
Page 1 of 2
The NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have teamed up to propose the loggerhead turtle be placed on the endangered-species listing while in the waters surrounding the United States.
According to an announcement made on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, the loggerhead turtle, which is already on the threatened-species list, could get approved to be included on the endangered species list by the middle of 2011.
After reviewing the status of the loggerhead turtle, the two federal agencies made this recommendation based on injuries and killings of the turtle species brought about by human activities such as fishing.
Over the next year or so, further review and public comment will be made on the joint recommendation made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Of course, environmental groups are happy to see this step taken for the protection of the loggerhead turtle. However, the maritime and fishing industries are not quite so happy with this announcement.
According to U.S. marine wildlife scientist Elizabeth Griffin, who is with the organization Oceana, stated, "
I think it's huge day for loggerhead sea turtles. I think it really draws attention to the fact these turtles are not doing well and more needs to be done to protect them." [Associated Press (3.10.2010): “
Endangered listing eyed for US loggerhead turtles”]
Page two discusses the other side of the story, why the loggerhead turtles should not be placed on the endangered species list.
