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All Posts By

Turtle Island Restoration Network

Aug 10
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Federal Fisheries Service Acknowledges Hawai‘i Longline Fleet’s Toll on False Killer Whales

By Marine Mammals & Seabirds, Sea Turtles

Honolulu, HI – Today, the National Marines Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) finally acknowledged the devastating toll that the Hawai‘i-based longline fishing fleet inflicts on the Hawai‘i population of false killer whales, formally classifying the longline fleet as “Category I” in the List of Fisheries for 2004, a designation reserved for fisheries that annually kill and seriously injure marine mammals at unsustainable rates. In November 2003, Turtle Island Restoration Network, along with the Center for Biological Diversity and the Hawai‘i community group Hui Mälama i Koholäand, represented by the Earthjustice law firm filed suit on behalf to force NMFS to increase protection for the whale by making such a reclassification, as mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (“MMPA”).

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Jun 25
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UN Panel of Experts Urges Closing Fisheries to Save Sea Turtles

By Sea Turtles

San Francisco, California—A panel of experts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization just released a report that recommended closing fisheries that pose the greatest threat to critically endangered Pacific leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. In order to address the threat of extinction of leatherback and loggerheads, the panel of experts also recommended that “eco labels” be introduced, fishing effort reduced and financial support be directed towards developing countries to support conservation efforts.

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Jun 22
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State of California Sues Tuna Industry

By Got Mercury?

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Yesterday, the California Attorney General sued three of the biggest canned tuna companies under Proposition 65, California’s consumer right-to-know law. The lawsuit was filed in the San Francisco Superior Court lawsuit against Tri-Union Seafoods, maker of Chicken of the Sea; Del Monte Foods, maker of Starkist; and Bumble Bee Seafoods, maker of Bumble Bee.

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Jun 16
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Congress Passes Landmark Legislation to Save Endangered Sea Turtles

By Sea Turtles

The Ocean Conservancy has worked successfully to ensure the recent passage of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act (H.R.3378), in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Championed by Maryland Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-1st), the bi-partisan bill authorizes $5 million a year for international conservation projects protecting nesting sea turtles and their habitat, and will help to thwart illegal trade in sea turtle shell, meat and eggs. A similar bill passed the Senate in October of 2003. The bill now goes to President Bush to sign into law.

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May 21
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STRP to Premiere New Leatherback Documentary

By Sea Turtles

Celebrate World Environment Day in NYC
To celebrate UN Environmental Programme World Environment Day, “Wanted Seas and Oceans Dead or Alive” a coalition of marine conservation organizations will sponsor a free documentary film screening and panel discussion about endangered leatherback sea turtles and marine mammals at the American Museum of Natural History’s Linder Theatre at Central Park West at 79th Street, New York City Saturday, June 5 from 2:00-4:30.

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Apr 26
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Another Non-Native Species Found in West Marin’s Creeks

By Uncategorized

Forest Knolls, CA – The recent discovery of a nine inch long non-native spiny softshell turtle in Marin’s Lagunitas Creek Watershed has caused environmental groups and state agencies to warn of the potential harmful impact on native species, especially coho salmon and steelhead trout. This recent discovery adds to a growing list of alien species ranging from channel catfish to bullfrogs to large mouth bass. Groups are calling on the public to not release non-native species, such as unwanted exotic pets, into the wild and remind them that such releases are illegal

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