NOAA Launches International Education Initiative Jan. 5 to Spread Turtle-friendly Fishing Techniques Globally 1/2/2004
From: Susan Buchanan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 301-713-2370, http://www.noaa.gov News Advisory: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists and partners have developed cutting-edge longline fishing techniques that can reduce sea turtle deaths due to fishing by 90 percent. The new techniques help reduce encounters and the ensnarement of sea turtles and can increase post-release survival rates of threatened and endangered leatherback and loggerhead sea turtle populations around the world. These findings are results of a three-year study recently completed by NOAA and endorsed by the international environmental advocacy group, the World Wildlife Fund. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce. WHAT: Announcement on findings of 3-year research to save sea turtles; live demonstrations of the new fishing techniques and equipment. WHO: -- Dr. William T. Hogarth, director, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service -- Dr. Rebecca Lent, dep. director, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service -- Nelson Beideman, president, Bluewater Fisherman's Association -- Scott Burns, director, World Wildlife Fund, Marine Conservation Program WHERE: National Press Club -- Murrow Room 529 14th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20045 202-662-7500 WHEN: 1:30-2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5 DETAILS: United States fisheries are responsible for about five percent of the overall sea turtle deaths internationally, and American fishermen are regulated to reduce such incidents. However, the fishing nations responsible for the remaining 95 percent of sea turtle deaths do not always impose similar restrictions, resulting in high rates of sea turtle deaths in all the world's oceans. NOAA, in partnership with the American pelagic longline fishing industry, has completed a highseas experiment designed to help all fishing nations do their part in saving sea turtles. The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, visit their Web site at: http://www.noaa.gov. ------ B-roll of the experiment at-sea and high res. photos of international turtle workshops available. |