Turtle advocates sue NC officials over gill nets

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A regulatory fight over finding a balance
between commercial fishermen making a living and protecting sea
turtles in North Carolina coastal waters is heading to the federal
courts.
A rescue hospital for injured sea turtles sued state marine
fisheries officials this week, alleging they are violating the
federal Endangered Species Act because they haven’t complied with
net restrictions for shallow waters in the Pamlico Sound.
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at
Topsail Island also said hundreds of turtles are ensnared in gill
nets in other coastal waters, where they are injured or drown. The
state Marine Fisheries Commission approved expanded gill net
restrictions last week.
State attorneys declined to comment on the lawsuit. Commercial
watermen say more net controls would harm local fishing economies.

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