Ocean Sentry
A half dozen conservation groups have sued the federal government, claiming the agency that oversees the Gulf of Mexico fishery is violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to protect threatened sea turtles.
The groups claim a common type of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico that uses long, hooked lines to catch grouper and other fish is killing hundreds of the rare turtles every year. They want the season stopped until a better plan is in place.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Tallahassee by Earthjustice on behalf six groups, including Defenders of Wildlife and the Florida Wildlife Federation. They are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The agency was not immediately prepared to comment on the lawsuit.
(From wjhg.com, Gulf of Mexico)
