June 25, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DMR Provides Urgent Information for
Sea Turtle Encounters for Fishermen and Boaters
BILOXI, Miss. – Due to an unusually high number of sea turtles in the Mississippi Sound this year, there is a greater chance of interaction between fishermen and sea turtles. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is taking a proactive approach to protect these threatened and endangered animals. Because all of the sea turtle species found in Mississippi waters are listed as threatened or endangered, it is important that these animals are returned to their natural environment with as little stress as possible. The attached information sheets are an aid in case such an encounter should occur. A PDF containing this information is available on the DMR Web site at www.dmr.ms.gov. If a sea turtle encounters your fishing gear, use this information to guide you in disengaging the sea turtle from your fishing gear with as little harm and stress as possible.
If any other assistance is needed, such as sea turtles with serious cuts, ingested or deeply embedded hooks, or you observe a stranded sea turtle, or any other serious interaction between sea turtles and fishing gear, please contact the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies at 888-SOS-DOLPHIN (888-767-3657), or call BP Deepwater Horizon Response at (866) 557-1401.
Please review the attached information from NOAA Fisheries and keep this information on your boat or with your gear, should such an encounter occur. In addition to this news release, DMR is mailing turtle encounter information to Mississippi license holders.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
ATTACHED:
Sheet 1: NOAA Sea Turtle Disentanglement Network 
Sheet 2: NOAA Sea Turtle Resuscitation 
Sheet 3: NOAA Turtle and Mammal Interaction Pamphlet 
—END— |