NEW YORK – July 15, 2010 – Because of an unusually high number of turtle strandings since the gulf oil spill – about six times the usual number – environmentalists are asking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to take extra steps to protect sea turtles from shrimpers.
As I write in my examination of animal deaths in the gulf in The New York Times, more than 450 dead turtles, most of them endangered Kemp’s ridleys, have been found since the spill. Oil might be the most obvious culprit, but much of the evidence points to shrimp boats, whose nets can drown turtles.
One major problem with that theory is that there have been far fewer shrimpers in the gulf than in previous seasons. But there have also been reports that more turtles have been hanging around near the coast, raising questions about whether the oil has driven them there or there is some other explanation – for example, a rebounding population – for the increase. More turtles in heavily trafficked areas means more accidents.
Read the complete story at The New York Times.