We have compiled the shocking results of inspections by the National Marine Fisheries Service of Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp trawl Turtle Exlcuder Devices (TEDs) into a summary report Endangered Sea Turtles Jeopardized by Fisheries Management Failures.  Click here to download the 1-page summary report.

Inspectors found 90% of the vessels lacked TEDs, had them illegally installed, had them "sewn shut" , or were modified in a way that would capture and kill a sea turtle. The exact angle of installation, the exact width of the sea turtle escape hatch, and the positioning of the escape hatch are all vital to the proper function of TEDs. Click here to download copies of the actual inspection reports.

In April this year, a record number of dead endangered sea turtles washed ashore on Gulf of Mexico beaches as shrimping season began. While NMFS has performed conclusive investigations proving that 73% of the sea turtles they looked at were likely drowned in bottom trawl nets, they have yet to enact new protections for the imperiled sea turtles in the Gulf.

Click here to download our new TEDs FAQ sheet which is appropriate for sharing this crucial information with seafood consumers of all ages.

Take action! Click here to send an email to NMFS urging increased enforcement of TEDs in the Gulf of Mexico.

UPDATE, July 15: Increased enforcement by NMFS has resulted in 71 warnings and violations issued from an estimated 200 vessel inspections. Our outreach and campaign efforts are paying off with a small increase in TEDs compliance. We will keep fighting until 100% of the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl vessels have perfect TEDs!