Hawaiian sea turtles (leatherback, loggerhead and green) seem to have a target on their backs these days. A few weeks ago we reported that the National Marines Fisheries Service wants to allow longline fishermen to ensnare twice as many endangered sea turtles.

De-listing next?

Sophie Cocke reports in her Landblog:

From NOAA:

This decision was prompted by a recent petition from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and is consistent with recommendations from NOAA’s most recent 5-year review of the species, completed in 2007. That 5-year review recommended a global status review of the species within ten years, and indicated that Hawaii’s green turtle population had steadily increased at a rate of 5.7 percent per year over the last three decades.

The association petitioned NOAA’s Fisheries Service and the FWS on Feb. 16, requesting that the agencies identify green turtles in Hawaii as a distinct population segment and subsequently remove them from the list of species protected under the ESA.

NOAA believes the petition presents substantial scientific information, and the requested action may be warranted. However, a positive finding at this initial stage does not prejudge the outcome of the full review.

If you want to weigh in on deliberations:

For more information on the listing and delisting process, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/listing.

You may submit comments, information, or data on green turtles or their critical habitat until September 30, 2012:

Online:

Submit all electronic information via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov. To submit information via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the “submit a comment” icon, then enter “NOAA-NMFS-2012-0154” in the keyword search. Locate the document you wish to provide information on from the resulting list and click on the “Submit a Comment” icon to the right of that line.

By mail:

Office of Protected Resources, NMFS 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Please include the Regulation Identifier Number NOAA-NMFS-2012-0154 when submitting comments.

 

(Photo credit: NOAA)