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Jones leads effort to get answers on turtle proposal
Story Date: 1/31/2011
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Source: Press Release, 1/28/11
Today U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and 14 congressional colleagues sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke requesting detailed scientific information regarding the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) proposal to up-list the status of Loggerhead sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act from “threatened” to “endangered,” and to divide this global species into nine subpopulations. Members of this bipartisan effort come from both chambers of Congress and represent potentially affected districts from the Mexican border through the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic Seaboard to the Canadian border.
Loggerheads are the world’s most abundant sea turtle, found all over the globe. They are already subject to protections under the Endangered Species Act, including a wide range of regulations on fishermen and other marine industries, as well as limits on coastal development and recreation activities. None of these protections are at issue, nor is the need to continue to rebuild loggerhead sea turtle populations. However, many have raised questions as to whether NMFS’ proposal fully accounts for the positive impacts of domestic conservation efforts over the past twenty-plus years. The questions asked by Congressman Jones and his colleagues relate to the data used and assumptions made in the NMFS proposal.
“We want to make sure that the agency is using the best scientific and commercial information available in its decision-making,” said Jones.
Congressman Jones and his colleagues are asking for a response to their questions by mid-February, as the final decision on the proposal is expected to be made by the Commerce Department in March. If approved, the proposal could have a significant impact on coastal communities and commercial and recreational fishing activities.
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