September 2011
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STRP Activists Help Save Gulf Sea Turtles from Capture in Shrimp Trawls
After activists sent thousands of letters to NMFS (National
Marine Fisheries Service), enforcement of the use of Turtle Excluder
Devices in the Gulf fleet has soared to nearly 87%, compared to
widespread violations earlier this year. This summer, the first steps
were taken toward stronger shrimping regulations during a series of
public meetings convened in key shrimp fishing states. Photo courtesy of NOAA
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Hawaiian Monk Seals Receive Overwhelming Support From Sea Turtle Activists
Thousands of STRP members and online activists showed their
support for a proposal to enlarge a protected zone in the Hawaiian
Islands for the Hawaiian monk seal, the most endangered marine mammal on
the planet. With just over 1,200 individuals remaining, this species is
on the brink of extinction. Photo © Doug Perrine
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GotMercury Campaign News Broadcast Wins Emmy Award
STRP works to build awareness of mercury which accumulates
in the same large fish that are caught on turtle-killing longlines.
NBC's news report featuring GotMercury's undercover investigation of
seafood in Los Angeles received the highly coveted Emmy Award for
Medical News Story on August 6. GotMercury's tests revealed mercury
levels as high as two times the limit allowed by the FDA. Watch the story here.
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Read STRP’s Op-Ed Response to NY Times Article That Praised Fishery Gear
In “Fishing Gear Is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to
Marine Life” (NYT, August 22), the author leads with the happy-times
palliative that “the hope [of environmental regulation] is to write
rules that both industry and science can live with.” But it says
nothing about what marine species can live with—which, in the end, is
really the mission of responsible environmental stewardship. Read Director Todd Steiner's Op-Ed rebuttal to the NY Times article here. Photo by Terry Maas
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Join STRP's Leatherback Watch Program Sept. 25 and Oct. 23
Join us on an expedition to the Farallon Islands off San
Francisco as part of STRP's Leatherback Watch Program. Come and
experience this rich marine ecosystem that attracts leatherback sea
turtles, whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds throughout the year.
STRP’s Dr. Chris Pincetich will be on board to talk about the
critically endangered leatherback sea turtles and an expert naturalist
will assist with locating whales and identifying seabirds and other
marine life. Click here for reservations. Photo © Scott Benson
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No Nukes Sea Turtle Activist Needed!
STRP is looking for a volunteer activist to represent sea
turtle/ocean issues to the revitalized No Nukes movement, following the
Fukushima meltdown. Work directly with STRP's executive director to plan
and implement an activist campaign. Contact Todd Steiner at TSteiner@TIRN.net if that person is you! Watch the video, "Licensed to Kill" to learn more about nuclear power's direct impacts on sea turtles.
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Donate $20 to STRP and Get a Free Sea Turtle Pendant
This beautiful sea turtle pendant was designed and created
by Roland St. John, a diver, jewelrymaker and supporter of STRP. It is
made of solid pewter which is then heavily plated in brass, with an
added antique finish and clear lacquer to prevent tarnishing. On an
18" black leather cord with ceramic accent beads. For men and women.
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Win a Fabulous Diving Trip to Cocos Island, Cost Rica
Raffle tickets are on sale now for a seat on our April 2012
diving expedition to Cocos Island, part of STRP's research on sea
turtle migration in the Cocos-Galapagos corridor. The trip offers luxury
accomodations on the live-aboard "Argo", and you will have a chance
to be a research volunteer tagging sea turtles and sharks. Tickets are
$100 each and a limited number will be sold. Get yours today!
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"Heartbreak Turtle Today" Documentary on PBS Stations
This highly informative film on Gulf sea turtles, produced
by STRP, has been aired on PBS stations around the country, helping to
raise awareness of the plight of sea turtles on our Gulf coast.
Please call your local PBS station and ask them to show this
outstanding documentary in your area. Copies are also available now
from the STRP Sea Turtle Store for $5.00. Click here to order.
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Thank you for all of your support!
For the turtles,
Todd Steiner, Director
July, 2011
Good news! This month, the Sea Turtle Restoration Project won two
major victories for sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S.
West Coast. Lawsuits filed by STRP and our allies have produced positive
results for sea turtle conservation. See below for the stories and ways
you can help:
STRP Wins Victory for Loggerheads in the Gulf of Mexico
This month, the federal government recognized that loggerhead sea
turtles in the Gulf of Mexico need more protections since the BP oil
spill. Their population had already declined 30-40% before the disaster,
in large part due to industrial fishing. The federal court ruled that
the National Marine Fisheries Service broke the law when it failed to
take a fresh look at a longline fishery’s impact on sea turtles after
last year’s massive BP Gulf oil spill. Click here to read more. Photo © Doug Perrine/Seapics
 Endangered Leatherbacks Closer to Greater Protection in West Coast Waters
Leatherback sea turtles that forage on jellyfish off the U.S. West Coast
are closer to getting much-needed protections to help their startlingly
dwindling population. On July 5, the Obama administration agreed to a
settlement that requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to
finalize their critical habitat ruling for endangered Pacific
leatherback sea turtles by November 15, 2011. This ruling should provide
increased protections to more than 70,000 square miles of Pacific ocean
habitat. Read the story in the SF Chronicle here. Photo © NOAA SWFSC
Texas Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Nesting Update
So far this year, 199 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast. The record for nestings during one season was broken on
July 1 when the 199th nest was found on Galveston Island. This is good
news for this endangered sea turtle which was nearly driven extinct in
the 1980s. Yet the turtles still face many dangers, one of which is
speeding vehicles on nesting beaches. Click here to support reduced speed limits on Texas beaches. Photo courtesy NPS
 FDA Petition Demands Stronger Protections from Mercury in Fish
Seafood consumption remains the number one source of methyl mercury
exposure in the U.S. A legal petition filed by STRP and other
environmental groups asked the FDA to require better regulations to
protect pregnant women and children and other people who are the most
vulnerable to the effects of eating high-mercury fish. The petition
seeks a requirement that seafood sellers post warning signs about the
danger of mercury in fish and seeks more stringent mercury limits in
commercially caught fish. Many high-mercury fish are caught on
longlines, killing sea turtles as bycatch. Add your voice by signing our petition here.
Save Cocos Island National Park from Longline Fishing
The pristine waters of Cocos Island, Costa Rica are home to the
critically endangered eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtles and a rich
diversity of marine life, all of which are threatened by continued
longline fishing near this National Park. We need your help to call on
President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica to provide the greatest
possible protections for sea turtles and marine wildlife throughout the
Cocos Ridge region. Click here to help by signing our petition. Photo by George Duffield
Obama's New Ocean Action Plan and Policy
Ocean protection advocates are urging President Obama’s ocean advisors
to shape a new national ocean policy that would end the capture and
killing of endangered sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks and other
marine animals in commercial fisheries and stop the sacrifice of marine
life for oil and gas. Listen to Program Director Teri Shore's radio
interview on KPFA's 6 o'clock news here.
Get a Sea Turtle Decal and Show You Care About Saving Sea Turtles
Make a donation of just $15 or more to STRP and receive this beautiful
cut-vinyl decal that you can stick on your car window, laptop, water
bottle or other surface to show the world that you love sea turtles!
(Shown here on black background; stick on a window and will it show as a
white turtle with no background). Click here to donate and get your free decal.
Thank you for supporting STRP!
For the turtles,
Todd Steiner, Director
May, 2011
Here are some of STRP's current campaign highlights, upcoming events and ways you can help:
Follow Satellite Tracked Sea Turtles From Cocos Island
Follow Back Country and Adrienne, as well as other green sea turtles who
were captured at Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica, equipped with
satellite transmitters and then released. Back Country has traveled
1,062 miles and is currently offshore of El Salvador. Yuri headed east
toward the Central American coast, then south, traveling all the way to
the coast of Panama before we lost transmission. Adrienne (still
transmitting) prefers to stay around Cocos, indicating the importance of
Cocos Island National Park as a foraging area for young turtles where
they can grow to maturity before migrating to their nesting grounds. Follow Back Country's and Adrienne's tracks as they make their incredible ocean journey.
photo by Virginia Bria
 Kemp's Ridley Nesting Season Has Begun!
Nesting season for Kemp's ridleys in the Gulf of Mexico lasts from April
through July. So far this year, 41 nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast, with the first nest laid at Padre Island National Seashore
on April 7. It is the smallest of all sea turtle species, growing to two
feet long and weighing approximately 90 lbs. The oval, or heart-shaped
shell ranges in color from an olive to gray-green. Kemp’s ridleys live
in the shallow coastal areas, bays, and lagoons of the Gulf of Mexico
where they breed, but often head up the Atlantic coast to forage for
food. These long-lived turtles don't begin to lay eggs until they are
11-35 years of age. Read more about the amazing Kemp's ridleys here.
Help Stop Eco-Labeling of the Deadly Florida Longline Fishery
The Marine Stewardship Council is currently proposing certification of a
high-bycatch longline swordfish fleet that operates offshore of Florida
in the U.S. Atlantic. Giving this deadly and wasteful fishery the seal
of sustainability with Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) eco-label
would be environmentally irresponsible due to the significant levels of
by-catch of endangered and threatened sea turtles, marine mammals,
seabirds and fish species including bluefin tuna, billfish, rays and
shark. Take action now!
photo by Randall Arauz
Rally for Sea Turtles with Sea Turtle Costumes - May 25!
Come and help us fight against the fossil fuel frenzy by joining
activists from across the world as we converge on the annual general
meeting of shareholders at Chevron's corporate headquarters in San
Ramon, CA. This will be a fun, engaging, and historic event. Share this
opportunity with your friends! We already have a dozen sea turtle
costumes and dozens of signs, and will gather to make dozens more if
needed.
Seminar and Screening of The Heartbreak Turtle Today - June 7
Join us at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California for an engaging
seminar led by Chris Pincetich, PhD where he will share photos, videos,
first-hand accounts, and results of recent research on California's sea
turtles. A special screening of The Heartbreak Turtle Today
documentary will bring viewers to the Gulf of Mexico, where decades of
conservation work have allowed the Kemp's ridley sea turtle to recover
from near extinction. The film also engages experts about the
consequences of the BP oil spill, which occurred during the production
of the film and threatens recovery actions for Kemp's ridleys. You can order a Heartbreak Turtle Today DVD for $5 (plus $2 shipping) here.
 Gifts for Dads, Grads and Newlyweds!
Your Dad or Grad will appreciate your taking action for the health of
endangered turtles and the ocean. Check out the many ways you can
support our work while you celebrate that special occasion. Are you
planning a wedding? Create your wedding gift registry with the I Do Foundation
and direct wedding gifts as donations to the Sea Turtle Restoration
Project. Help our work to save sea turtles by giving your loved one a
gift from our Sea Turtle Store, or by honoring them with an Adopt A Nest.
Choose from our selection of sea turtle jewelry, t-shirts, hats, books,
totes and artwork, or adopt a nest of sea turtle hatchlings in their
honor.
Thank you for supporting STRP!
For the turtles,
Todd Steiner, Director
February, 2011
Endangered Sea Turtles Saved From Capture in Hawaii Swordfish Fishery
Fewer rare sea turtles will die on the swordfish industry’s longlines in
Hawaii under an agreement between the Sea Turtle Restoration Project,
our allies and the federal government. Last week, we settled a lawsuit
challenging the feds’ plans to dramatically increase the number of
turtles that the fishery could kill. STRP, along with other
environmental organizations, sued the National Marine Fisheries Service
for allowing 46 imperiled Pacific loggerhead sea turtles
to be hooked last year; the new court-ordered settlement caps the
number at 17 per year. Meanwhile the Fisheries Service is weighing
whether loggerheads need even more protection under the Endangered
Species Act. Photo of loggerhead by Alan Rees
Operation Safe Seafood: California
Some types of seafood, especially swordfish, tuna and shark, are
dangerous for human health, in addition to being caught in ways that
also injure and kill sea turtles. A report by the Sea Turtle
Restoration Project's sister organization the Got Mercury Campaign
found that swordfish and tuna samples from CA grocery stores and
restaurants were dangerously high in mercury. The study revealed that
less than half the stores posted mercury warning signs advising mothers
and most women of the potential hazards of eating swordfish and other
high-mercury fish. See the front page article in the San Francisco Chronicle. The Got Mercury Campaign's findings for Nevada were also featured on ABC television in that state.
 Scientists' Letter to Costa Rica's President Urges Continued Protections for Leatherbacks
The Sea Turtle Restoration Project has sent a letter signed by 478
concerned scientists to urge Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla to
oppose the roll-back of protections for sea turtles in Las Baulas
National Park, one of the last nesting areas for critically endangered
Pacific leatherbacks left in the world. STRP's Dr. Chris Pincetich
coordinated the effort and Randall Arauz, STRP's Central America
Director, delivered the letter to Pres. Chinchilla's office. The
proposed law would downgrade Las Baulas National Park from National Park
to "wildlife refuge." Losing the National Park status would allow
building of beach houses, hotels and other structures along sensitive
beach areas. Learn more... Photo by Doug Perrine/Seapics
Will Sea Turtles Be Burned Again in the Next Oil Spill?
Unless Congress and President Obama take action to improve offshore oil
regulations, we will re-live the tragedy of the BP spill and the
horrific consequences of outright neglect of innocent marine life.
Without strong public pressure, oil barons in Washington DC will
continue their destructive and irresponsible actions. Tell Congress and Obama to create a Sea Turtle Response and Rescue Plan
for oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico that prioritizes rescue and
rehabilitation of endangered species and provides full cleanup and
restoration of nesting beaches and habitats impacted by the spill.
Be One of Our Shining STARs (Sea Turtle Action Responders)!
For a monthly donation of as little as $5.00, you can help STRP respond
quickly and effectively to emerging threats to sea turtles throughout
the year. Because of regular donations like these, we were able to
respond to the BP oil spill disaster -- halting the burning alive of sea
turtles during "cleanup" operations, organizing volunteer rescue
efforts, and compelling "Unified Command" to double the number of boats
deployed in the Gulf to rescue oiled sea turtles. Donate now!
Become a Sustainability Member of STRP
Donate $35 or more, and as a special gift you will receive an STRP
Sustainability Kit: a "Bag the Plastic" canvas tote bag, an organic
cotton reusable grocery bag made from an STRP T-shirt, and a BPA-free
Camelbak water bottle. Choose to reduce plastic waste and help sea turtles!
Thank you for supporting STRP!
For the turtles,
Todd Steiner, Director
December, 2010
Holiday Gift Giving to Help Sea Turtles
Check out our Sea Turtle Store for your holiday gifts. We offer a variety of sea turtle-themed items including books, T-shirts, hats, jewelry and fine art. (Note: the deadline to order for delivery by Dec 23 is only 4 days away!) You can also Adopt A Nest of sea turtles in the name of a special someone in your life, or make a donation to STRP in honor of a loved one. Or shop online and designate STRP as your Favorite Cause through the GoodShop portal, and donate to STRP every time you make an online purchase. It's an easy way to direct funds to helping sea turtles.
Protect the Flatback by Establishing Marine Sanctuaries in Australia
The Australian flatback sea turtle
nests only in northern and western Australia, laying eggs nearly as
large as the mighty leatherback's and producing the biggest, fastest and
strongest diving hatchlings of all the sea turtle species. These areas
of Australia are now a major frontier for oil and gas development.
Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke is on the verge of making a
decision on the size and location of new marine sanctuaries in
Australia. This decision will set the standard for marine protection for
the rest of Australia for the next ten to twenty years. Join
STRP in taking action to urge Mr. Burke to set aside significant areas
for protection from oil and gas drilling, overfishing and pollution.
Photo of flatback sea turtle by handsoffcountry.blogspot.com
Join us on a Spectacular Trip to Cocos Island National Park, March 13-23, 2011
This is a rare opportunity for experienced divers to help us collect
data on sea turtles and sharks! The site is one of the best diving spots
in the world, and holds perhaps the richest biodiversity in the Eastern
Tropical Pacific. Green and hawksbill sea turtles are common and
schools of scalloped hammerheads, sometimes numbering more than 100
individuals, are often seen on a single dive. Other regularly observed
species include white tip reef sharks, silver tip sharks, Galapagos
sharks, black tip sharks, silky sharks, marbled rays, eagle rays and
bottlenose dolphins. Photos by George Duffield.
Buy a Raffle Ticket and Win a Dive Trip for 2 to Cocos Island!
Our benefit Raffle for the Cocos Island Trip (see above) has been
extended to December 21. Now is your chance to win a prize worth $13,280
- 2 seats on this amazing scuba diving expedition! Tickets are $145
each, and subsequent ticket purchases are discounted to $120 each. All
proceeds benefit STRP and our sea turtle and shark research. Cocos
Island was said to be "the most beautiful island in the world" by
Jacques Cousteau. Check out the amazing video footage of underwater life in the Cocos. All proceeds of the raffle benefit STRP's sea turtle conservation programs.
 Good News! Los Angeles County Plastic Bag Ban Will Help Save Sea Turtles
With the support of STRP and a coalition of environmental organizations,
a measure has just been approved by the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors to ban plastic bags at grocery stores, drug stores, liquor
stores, and convenience stores. Six SF Bay Area cities and counties are
all considering a similar ban. Click here to read about Marin County support and Sacramento activism.
Plastic bags are known to be harmful to sea turtles, especially
leatherbacks that mistake them for jellyfish, their favorite food.
Thank you for all of your support as we continue to fight for the sea turtles and their habitat.
Sincerely,
Todd Steiner, Executive Director
October, 2010
 Pacific Leatherbacks on their Annual Migration from California to Hawaii
Every summer into the fall, giant leatherback sea turtles gather off
the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington to feed on an abundance
of jellyfish in the cold California Current, and most years will swim
out to warmer Hawaiian waters for the winter. After several years of
feasting offshore of the U.S., they make the long journey back to their
natal nesting beaches in and around Indonesia to lay their eggs and
propagate the next generation. These are the largest turtles on earth,
growing to over 6 feet in length, weighing up to 2,000 lbs, and are able
to reach depths of more than 3,000 feet below the ocean's surface. Photo Doug Perrine/Seapics
Leading the Fight to Save Sea Turtles From the BP Oil Spill
In order to help sea turtles harmed in the Gulf oil spill, STRP's new
report calls for comprehensive, independent research on the impacts of
the oil spill, and full accountability for the harm by BP and the
government. The report also calls for protected areas that are kept free
from fishing and offshore oil drilling, as well as the extension of TED
(Turtle Excluder Device) laws and their rigorous enforcement to protect
the most endangered sea turtle in the world, the Kemp's ridley. Read the Report here. Photo of oiled Kemp's ridley sea turtle by Meghan Calhoun
 GotMercury's Operation Safe Seafood Finds Hazardous Levels of Mercury in Supermarket Fish
A big Thank You! to the GotMercury.org Operation Safe Seafood volunteers who donated their time to collect swordfish and tuna samples from supermarkets and have the samples analyzed for mercury levels. Many thanks to Thomas Skadow of Polk City, Iowa; Susan Slibernagel of Long Island, NY; Velvet Browning-Smith of Niceville, FL and Barbara Lawson-Risso of Valley Center, CA. To read the results, click here.
Cocos Island Scuba Diving Raffle
Our raffle is in full swing! If you haven't bought your ticket yet, don't wait any longer. You can win a trip for 2 on a scuba diving expedition to one of the premiere diving spots in the world, Cocos Island National Park off of Costa Rica. Cocos Island was said to be "the most beautiful island in the world" by Jacques Cousteau. Check out the amazing video footage of underwater life in the Cocos. All proceeds of the raffle benefit our sea turtle conservation programs. Tickets are $145 for a prize worth $13,280!
Photos by George Duffield.
 Plastic Bags Kill Sea Turtles
Around the world, as human communities continue to develop, consumption of plastic continues to rise. This waste is contaminating the ocean with billions of tons of plastic which harms and kills approximately 100,000 sea turtles and other marine animals each year. Sea turtles are particularly at risk because they often mistake floating plastic bags for their favorite food, jellyfish. Always take a reuseable grocery bag to the store and help us in our campaign to "Bag the Plastics" and legally ban plastic grocery bags from stores.
 Sea Turtle Saturday at Aquarium of the Bay in SF
Nov 6 - Save the Date!
Join us for Sea Turtle Saturday at the Aquarium of the Bay in San
Francisco. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the Aquarium, be our
guest at a private reception for STRP supprters, and learn more about
sea turtles. We will screen several documentaries, including the
stunning film "Turtle: The Incredible Journey" (see the trailer here).
The film, narrated by Miranda Richardson, follows a baby loggerhead
turtle as it takes the path of her ancestors on her extraordinary
journey through life. You will also enjoy talks by STRP staff biologists
and campaigners about the seven species of sea turtles and especially
the leatherbacks that swim and forage off our California coast. STRP is
offering our members and supporters discounted tickets that allow free
all-day admission to the Aquarium ($12 adults, $4 children).
Click here to purchase tickets.
Members Making a Difference - Shane Molander
7-year old Shane Molander of Massachussetts loves the sea, so when he heard about the Gulf oil spill, he and his dad decided to sell blue bracelets that say "Save the Gulf." Shane donated $250 that raised to STRP to help rescue sea turtles.
At left, Shane Molander holds one of the “Save the Gulf” blue bracelets he is selling to raise money for wildlife affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Chris Bernstein
We look forward to seeing our Bay Area members at Sea Turtle Saturday on November 6 at SF's Aquarium of the Bay. Thank you for all of your support as we continue to fight for the sea turtles and their habitat.
Sincerely,
Todd Steiner, Executive Director
August 2010
 Lawsuit Against Coast Guard and BP Produces Positive Results
- As a result of STRP's joint lawsuit with other conservation groups,
the Coast Guard and BP have implemented an observer program in the Gulf
whereby qualified biologists are present on all in-situ burn teams and
are responsible for rescuing and removing turtles from burn boxes before
burns commence. See News From the Gulf below...
Kemp's ridley on Texas beach/photo National Parks Service
Report from the Gulf by Dr. Chris Pincetich Aug. 5 - STRP's
marine biologist and toxicologist Dr. Chris Pincetich spent three weeks
in the Gulf of Mexico working to protect endangered sea turtles. He will
share his successes and struggles at a free public forum from 6 to 9 pm, Thursday, August 5, at Book Passage in Corte Madera, just north of San Francisco.
He will be showing oiled sea turtle photos and aerial oil spill video
taken during two weeks at ground zero of the BP Oil Spill in Louisiana,
Alabama and Florida. He met with sea turtle scientists, shrimp boat
captains, activist pilots and government officials on his mission to
increase rescue efforts for sea turtles from the BP oil spill. This
event will be filmed and shown on our website. 
Arts and Crafts Show to Benefit Sea Turtles Aug. 14 - Help us raise money for sea turtle protection. Join us in San Francisco from 12 to 6 pm for an ocean-themed Arts and Crafts Show and Silent Auction.
Admission is free. Art will include painting, photography, prints,
jewelry, glass, textiles, ceramics and sculpture, along with food and
music and a free festive reception. More...
Sea turtle painting, Gabriele Schwibach
 Join Todd Steiner and Randall Arauz for a Shark and Turtle-Tagging Expedition to Cocos Islands Aug 23-Sept 3
- There are still a few spaces left! Join Randall Arauz, 2010 Goldman
Environmental Prize Winner and me, Todd Steiner, STRP's executive
director, on an expedition to Cocos Island National Park. These trips
rank as my most memorable lifetime experiences, and offer some of the
most spectacular opportunities to view and study the incredible marine
biodiversity of the East Pacific.
Todd Steiner tagging a Green sea turtle in the Cocos Islands
Visit our Sea Turtle Store - Shop and Support STRP
- Many items are for sale including T-shirts, tote bags, sea turtle
carvings, hats, jewelry, books, prints and paintings. All net proceeds
benefit our programs to protect sea turtles worldwide.
Thank you for doing what you can for the sea turtles and we hope to
see those of you who live in the SF Bay Area at our upcoming events.
For the turtles,
Todd Steiner, Director
NEWS FROM THE GULF:
Joint Lawsuit Against Coast Guard and BP Produces Positive Results
- As a result of STRP's joint lawsuit with other conservation groups,
the Coast Guard and BP have implemented an observer program in the Gulf
whereby qualified biologists are present on all in-situ burn teams and
are responsible for rescuing and removing turtles from burn boxes before
burns commence;
· The Coast Guard convened an emergency technical meeting with
leading sea turtle biologists to create the basis for protocols
governing in-situ burn operations and sea turtle protection efforts
during the oil spill response;
· The Coast Guard adopted mandatory sea turtle search, rescue,
and rehabilitation protocols to be incorporated into all in-situ burn
operations;
· The Coast Guard and BP agreed to have qualified observers
transcribe pertinent data relating to sea turtles and other wildlife
observed in and around burn areas, and further agreed to increase public
transparency by providing that raw data to Plaintiffs and the public at
large; and
· In response to an effective oil cap, the Coast Guard and BP
have indefinitely suspended in-situ burn operations, effectively
eliminating harm to sea turtles from in-situ burns. |
