A Green Sea Turtle Hatchling
Photo credit: Manuel Heinrich Emha
As someone who has in the past, been fond of deep-fried shrimp, as of today, it is off of my menu, forever!
I try very hard to be a vegetarian, but alas, shrimp was a guilty weakness, but now, no more.
In my mail this morning was a sickening, sad story that the Southeast Shrimping Industry is still killing our Endangered Florida Sea Turtles by the thousands, over 50,000 of them actually and few, if any, have seemed to be able to stop them.
But wait, they are now being sued and the group doing it, just may have enough clout to force them to finally, once and for all, change their murderous behavior.
This is not a new issue with sea life and death at the hands of those who make their living fishing, it has been going on at least since the 1990’s.
But the fact that they continue to this day, and show so little regard for these Endangered Sea Turtles, is where I personally draw the line and say, no more.
The problem for all these many years has been the nets used by the Fishing/Shrimping Industry, that trap the Sea Turtles and other sea life and cause them to drown.
In the past, demands have been made to force implementation by the fishing industry of TED’s, or turtle excluder devices, which allows creatures to escape, but not enough are using them and the turtles continue to die by the thousands.
All Sea Turtles in this country are either an Endangered or Threatened Species, namely, the loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill, green and Kemp’s ridley.
US Fish and Wildlife is seeking to lower the status of the Green Sea Turtle from Endangered to Threatened, claiming that their numbers are now higher due to conservation success and better nets.
As with the recent divisive and controversial ruling concerning the hunting of our Florida Black Bear, if this does happen, what will the future hold, for the Sea Turtles removed from the Endangered List?
Will FWS in the future allow them to be hunted as well?
The very people and agencies in this state and this country who should be protecting our creatures “with no voice” seem to have lost their desire or ability to do so.
My respect for all of these “Groups” with the blood of our “voiceless ones” on their hands, has been greatly diminished by their actions.
Being beholden to the evil of “money and power” seems to have replaced kindness and caring, and the animals are all the losers for this.
Gone is forever.
Places to learn more:
Walking with the Alligators: Sea Turtles
US govt sued over sea turtles snared in shrimp nets
Group sues to require sea-turtle trap doors in shrimp nets
US govt sued over sea turtles snared in shrimp nets
U.S. sued to curb deaths of sea turtles by shrimping industry
Walking with the Alligators 
Personally, I don’t understand why we need to eat shrimp or any sea crustacean or fish when we are awash in a sea of beef, pork, chicken, milk and eggs. There is more than enough animal protein available for those who think they must have it.
Pressure needs to be put on the FWS to not lower the status of these turtles.
Thank you so much for caring and sharing!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Gone is forever. indeed …. protect them all!!
Thank you for sharing this!
Good to hear shrimp are off your menu. Well done! Its shocking the deaths of 50,000 turtles, where will it all end. As you so rightly say it is all about money, the greed of the few at the expense of the many including defenceless innocent creatures who have as much right to live as we do. It seems a never ending battle to stop the onslaught of devastation and extinctions of other living beings.
Yes, we are in total harmony on this!!!
Maximizing profits, sadly, trumps almost every other thing in our society, whether you are a small green turtle or a concerned human being. –Curt
So true Curt, so true!
Gator Woman – what spirit you have …and what a heart!
In admiration
john
As do you dear John. Thank you from my heart to yours~
Reblogged this on Totally Inspired Mind… and commented:
This story is a good example how we’re all connected on this planet. My friend and fan of Totally Inspired Mind wrote this post said explaining how when you eat shrimp you’re basically taking away from the sea turtles who survive by eating them
That’s got me thinking about if I want shrimp anymore as our seas are over farmed and there’s a shortage. That’s what turtles eat, so the more its farmed the less they have.
I’d be willing to support any kind of legislation there was to put escape hatches in the nets and whatever they need so that we can have an ecosystem that works together better. Thank you for sharing the story and also thank you for being such a big fan of Totally Inspired Mind.
Paulette L Motzko
Thank you so very much for sharing this with your dear readers. You are so kind and generous for doing so…
Information like this matters and if more people truly understood how the ecosystem works in this way, they would make more sustainable choices too.
Go to Whole Foods Market if you want more people to sign the legislation to improve fishing practices. All the people who shop there, like myself, care about the big picture.
Thank you sooooooo much!
I am soon to try to sell my house in NE and moving to FL. Hopefully I can get involved in some projects there! 🙂
You may not like the way that animals are treated here. But they can use all of the support they can get. Safe journey~
Vegetarianism is more than just ‘not consuming meat’. Knowing how or where the food
we eat is obtained and/or processed is critical.
Your article reveals the ‘inside story’ of the shrimp industry and is great ‘food’ for thought for us all. Thank you
I am not quite there yet, (being a total vegetarian) but am hoping to be soon.
Thank you for your kind words, they are truly appreciated~
The latest news about Blue Bell today is alarming and should be a wake up call to us all.
Listeria is deadly!!!
It’s sickening. Very disturbing. We can’t trust anyone. $$$ is what rules. Beautifully written.
Thank you for your kind and passionate words.
We must all become our brothers keepers.
Animals everywhere are dying and being murdered because no one has their back.
When the last one is gone, we, the Human race will be so very alone.
Reblogged this on IdealisticRebel's Daily View of Favorites.
Thank you so very much for sharing this!!!
I reblogged this important post. Holden Beach, NC is a turtle preserve. We need more.
What you’re saying about Florida’s Southeast Shrimping Industry still killing the turtles is so poignant! I’m sick to the heart!
It was enough to end my love of fried shrimp, one of my final weaknesses, to end in a snap!
I usta keep turtles but too much upkeep. You have to keep the water fresh and clean. Pets should have the care and attention they need.
You are absolutely right!
… Stunning photo’!
It truly is!! Thank you.