Global News - December 2007

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Rare turtle set to receive increased protection

Mon 31 December 2007 13:00 UK — North America,Marine Wildlife

The rare leatherback turtle may receive increased protection on the US west coast as a result of it expanding its habitat in the area.

US federal agency the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) confirmed that it had received scientific evidence that the endangered animal had been found in areas outside its previously designated critical habitat, Sustainable Food News reported.

Any extension of the turtle's critical habitat could lead to restrictions for the commercial swordfish and shark fishing industry in the area.

While the current protected habitat for the marine reptile consists of waters near the US Virgin Islands, the NMFS revealed it had undertaken research indicating the animal was also found off the coast of both Oregon and Washington.

"Several female leatherbacks nesting in Indonesia made trans-Pacific post-nesting migrations to foraging areas off the coasts of Oregon and Washington," the NMFS told Sustainable Food News in a statement.

The NMFS is set to make a decision about expanding the leatherback turtle's critical habitat area in spring 2008.

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