Shrimpers emerged as a prime suspect in the NOAA investigation when, after a round of turtle necropsies in early May, Dr. Stacy announced that more than half the carcasses had sediment in the airways or lungs — evidence of drowning. The only plausible explanation for such a high number of drowning deaths, he said, was, as he put it, “fisheries interaction.”
Environmentalists saw the findings as confirmation of their suspicions that shrimpers, taking advantage of the fact that the Coast Guard and other inspectors were busy with the oil spill, had disabled their turtle excluder devices.
The devices are so contentious that Louisiana law has long forbidden its wildlife and fisheries agents to enforce federal regulations on the devices. Last month, Gov. Bobby Jindal vetoed legislation that would have finally lifted the ban, citing the “challenges and issues currently facing our fishermen.” By contrast, Mississippi officials strengthened turtle protections by decreasing the allowable tow time for skimmers, posting observers on boats, and sending out pamphlets on turtle resuscitation.
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Full NYT article here.
It fascinates me how much the government and environmentalists obsess over sea turtle survival. Check out the pamphlet on turtle resuscitation: "Sea turtles may take some time to revive; do not give up too quickly." It's optimistic of the government to believe that fishermen and boaters would go through all the trouble to save a turtle that they accidentally injure or nearly kill. Granted, if such compassion and effort is to be found anywhere among people just trying to make a living, it would probably be in the US (Hong Kong? Forget about it). But realistically, I just don't see fishermen and boaters (who are suspected of disabling their turtle excluder devices) reading the pamphlet before bed and going that distance for the species that are getting in the way of their livelihood. Humans are selfish.
On the other hand, as far as I know, environmentalists think sea turtles are doomed anyway. The things we are asked to do for doomed species... there is something comical and tragic about all this. Letting a species die out is unconscionable; fighting tooth and nail in a losing battle is madness. But the world does not operate under rationality. Individual agendas will be forwarded. It makes me feel useless and helpless.
On the other hand, as far as I know, environmentalists think sea turtles are doomed anyway. The things we are asked to do for doomed species... there is something comical and tragic about all this. Letting a species die out is unconscionable; fighting tooth and nail in a losing battle is madness. But the world does not operate under rationality. Individual agendas will be forwarded. It makes me feel useless and helpless.
2 comments:
I know this is kind of-totally unrelated, but I feel a bit of what you say I think when i see ads on British TV for various animal charities. If it's 3 pounds a month for me to give a child clean water vs the same money to give a dog shelter, it's the child hands down... if that makes sense.
i guess the sad thing is, real and effective solutions are rarely practical. take this example, if there is one thing that can change this world, it's population control. why - say if we were so good in reducing the world's carbon output by HALF (that never would happen), the population just doubles at the same time. what's the net effect? nothing. so... anyways. haha i think my point is we are always faced with problems that wont matter too much, but we still give it a try.
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