Millions of Sea Turtles Killed Accidentally?
source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070417-shark-fishing.html
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"Of all the threats sea turtles face right now, bycatch is the most serious," said Bryan Wallace, a marine biologist with Conservation International and lead author of the study. (Read a commentary by Wallace on how he thinks changing your eating habits can help sea turtles.)
The study pulls together data from around the world on sea turtle deaths from nets, hooks, and trawlsóand questions the estimates of previous reports.
"Because the reports we reviewed typically covered less than one percent of all fleets, with little or no information from small-scale fisheries around the world, we conservatively estimate that the true total is probably not in tens of thousands, but in the millions of turtles taken as bycatch in the past two decades," the authors write.
Six of the seven sea turtle species are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of threatened species.
(Also see "Eight Million Sharks Killed Accidentally off Africa Yearly." http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070417-shark-fishing.html )
–John Roach
Published April 6, 2010
Letters.http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100406-sea-turtle....jpg
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- julesrs007
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Kurta
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I think that, even though factory farming gets more attention, the fishing industry has an even more devestating effect on a global scale. One could say that the conditions that exist in a factory farm are at least "controlled". Controlled in that, there aren't bears accidentally slaughtered at a pig farm. The fishing industry is affecting not only the intended targets but numerous other species.
Let's not forget that in markets like Asia, it makes no difference if they kill turtles, dolphins, rays, sharks, etc. accidentally. They're most likely sent to market anyway since they're all consumed regularly or as a delicacy.
To me, traditions are the most dangerous things to any given species, regardless of it's status. Actually, I think traditions in general are wrong for the most part. A tradition is an excuse not to evolve. Maybe I'm a bit harsh.
- 2 years ago
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Kurta
