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Marine Turtle Newsletter 9:4-5, © 1978

USA Sea Turtle Protection Plan

In July, 1978, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce announced new regulations designed to protect sea turtles. These include:

1. designation of green turtles with breeding grounds in Florida and the Pacific Coast of Mexico as endangered, and all other green turtles as threatened.
2. designation of olive ridley turtles breeding on the Pacific Coast of Mexico as endangered, and all other olive ridleys as threatened.
3. designation of loggerhead turtles throughout the world as threatened.
4. a ban on the importation of turtle products from mariculture operations.
5. a ban on subsistence taking of sea turtles except for limited taking in the Trust Territory of the Western Pacific.

The effect of the action is to prohibit trade in and the potential taking of the three species of sea turtles, except for scientific research, public display, and the limited subsistence take in the Trust Territory. While some incidental take of the sea turtles may continue in fishing operations, such operations are to be strictly regulated to preserve the species. Commercial interests that will be affected by the regulation include leather goods, food, cosmetics, curios and jewelry concerns. A one-year grace period will be allowed for interstate commerce to enable dealers, shopkeepers and others to clear their shelves. based on a news release from:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
US Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230 U.S.A.