Introducing Commerce Vs. Conservation, And The Race To Save Dermochelys Coriacea
The giants of the ocean world, Dermochelys coriacea, have dominated as the largest living sea turtles for thousands of years, and thanks to numerous conservation programs, have been held back from extinction; however, populations are on the brink, especially in the Pacific ocean. Regulations have been enacted around the world, which include specialized hooks and nets, but unfortunately, many non-US countries do not enforce these regulations and consequently the populations are dwindling to nearly zero. Because of the promising upward trend in the Atlantic population, fisherman are fighting for a huge change in the conservation status of these massive chelonians. They are proposing that the northern population be downlisted from endangered to threatened, and therefore reduce the strict regulations which they state hinder their fishing successes. Conservationists counter this proposal with the reasoning that climate change may be seriously affecting the hatching rates, and that trends have pointed downward on some beaches. If the laws are relaxed on these creatures, their populations will not be allowed to rebound and they will quickly fall into a critical situation. The Lousiana Shrimp Association argues that it is unfair to impose regulations based on a separate population of sea turtles, and that the rules must be changed in order to protect the future of fisherman in the Atlantic hemisphere. The National Marine Fisheries Service is currently overviewing the proposal and and decisions will be announced later this year.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
India: Proof of Lepidochelys olivacea hatching prompts further action
UK: Students experience thrill of sea turtle release
India: Investigations into failed hatching on Mumbai beach
AU: Researchers determine shockingly low survival rate of native chelonians
Biology
AU: Incredible time-lapse a must-see!
USA: Mojave Max declares spring arrival
India: Scientists discover genetic differences of Indian locality Lepidochelys olivacea
Crime & Punishment
CA: Turtle hunter caught off-season
Health & Medical
USA: Learn story of new resident of Clearwater Aquarium
Miscellany
Costa Rica: Dermochelys coriacea attempts to taxi down runway
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Photo from Michael Laughlin.
