Environmental groups may sue over lack of turtle protections in Gulf shrimp trawls

 Environmental groups are threatening to sue to force the use of turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawls in the Gulf of Mexico. The groups on Wednesday said that until those devices are required, the National Marine Fisheries Service should “suspend the shrimp trawl fishery" in the Gulf.  The groups on Wednesday notified the fisheries service of their intent to sue, saying the federal agency must require the devices in skimmer trawls, which are used primarily in shallow water such as Louisiana's coastal waters, bays and estuaries. Often referred to as TEDs, the devices help prevent turtles from being trapped in shrimp nets. “The Fisheries Service has violated and continues to violate the (Endangered Species Act) with respect to its duties to protect and conserve threatened and endangered species,” read a letter sent to the Fisheries Services and the Department of Commerce by the Center for Biological Diversity, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Oceana, and the Sea Turtle Conservancy...more

Turtle soup goes good with fresh shrimp, I Gua-Ron-Tee.