Federal report shows declining loggerhead turtle populations (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After encouraging gains in the 1990s, populations of loggerhead sea turtles are now dropping, primarily because of commercial fishing, according to a federal review.

The report stops short of recommending upgrading the federally threatened species to "endangered" status. But scientists and environmentalists say it should serve as a wake-up call about the future of loggerheads, which can grow to more than 300 pounds and are believed to be one of the oldest species.

"We are very concerned," said Mark Dodd, a wildlife biologist for the state of Georgia. In 2006, the state counted the third lowest loggerhead nesting total since daily monitoring began in 1989.

"As a biologist you're always trying to find that point at which we really have to start doing something drastic if we want to maintain loggerhead populations on our beaches."
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The review, a five-year status update required under the Endangered Species Act, compiled data from previous local reports, which showed similar trends. It was conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which jointly have jurisdiction over protecting the turtles. The agencies also issued updates, with mixed results, on five other sea turtles from around the world.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/23/loggerhead.turtles.ap/index.html

So ... how long before Bu**sh** cuts funding to FWS and NMFS ?? Bets ? Office pool ?

[sasquatch]

1. Turtles shouldn't be drinking anyway

:silly: