Hawaiian sea turtles may be removed from endangered list

The Conservation Council for Hawai‘i is closely monitoring a petition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Association Hawaiian Civic Clubs to remove honu (Hawaiian s

The Conservation Council for Hawai‘i is closely monitoring a petition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Association Hawaiian Civic Clubs to remove honu (Hawaiian sea turtles) from the threatened species list.

The council is concerned, because threats to honu still exist and may actually increase over the next few decades with sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, increased intensity of storms, and invasive species. In addition, there is not any data to suggest that recovery goals for the honu have been met.

Removing a plant or an animal from the threatened and endangered species list is a serious matter with far-reaching, sometimes irreversible, implications.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gives notice that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold the Eighth Meeting of its Sea Turtle Advisory Committee (STAC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and Thursday, May 24, 2012, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, at the Council Office Conference Room, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii; telephone: (808) 522–8220.

For further information, contact: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; telephone: (808) 522–8220, website: http://www.conservehi.org , Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservation-Council-for-Hawaii/112107682206461

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...