[Don_1 (OP)]

As you all know I am a bit of a chelonian nutcase. So it really p****** me off when there is technology to save sea turtles from fishing trawl nets that is not being used.

Look at this from the action group Oceana.

All six species of sea turtles in U.S. waters were listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act more than 30 years ago, yet no sea turtle species has recovered.  In fact, for some species, such as the loggerhead sea turtle, their populations continue to decline. Despite this status, commercial trawl fisheries continue to catch and kill loggerhead sea turtles. 

TED's (Turtle excluder devices) are available and effective, but not compulsory. Oceana estimates that 770 turtles are caught annually in trawl nets in the American mid-Atlantic fishing fleet alone.

See the full story at the Oceana Action site http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25212

Shouldn't we use technology, which is readily available, to protect the life of other species?

[Make it Lady]

Every time yes. I guess the profile needs lifting. You could ask green peace or friends of the Earth to do some campaigning.

[chris]

How do the turtle excluder devices work? I'd not come across them before.

Chris

[Don_1 (OP)]

This explains how this simple and inexpensive device works.

http://www.humanesociety.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/turtle_excluder_device_ted.html

And this, although not very clear, shows a TED in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9olIycYg0c

It is so simple and would save the lives of so many endangered turtles.

[neilep]

All I can say is that I agree  with ewe Don ! 100% !!