ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (10 Jan 2002) -- According to the Florida Marine Research Institute, a record 1,337 dead or dying turtles washed up on Florida beaches in 2001. The record number of dead sea turtles is the most since marine biologists began monitoring them in 1980. The previous record occured in 1996 when a severe red tide hit Florida waters. Turtles are trapped in shrimper nets despite being designed to allow them to escape. Other causes of the deaths include boat propellers and hulls, and brain worms that paralyze sea turtles. | | All of Florida's five species of sea turtles are protected including the green, Kemp's Ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback, which are endangered, and the loggerhead, which is a threatened species. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
