For More Information:
Brian Sybert, 512-477-1729
Ken Kramer, 512-476-6962

For Immediate Release (Wednesday, April 26, 2000):

Sierra Club Supports Additional Closures to Shrimping

More Restrictions Deemed Vital for Sea Turtle Protection and a Productive Shrimp Fishery

(Austin)- The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club provided testimony today to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Shrimp Advisory Committee on the draft revisions to the shrimp regulations which are the result of a year and a half review of those regulations. The Lone Star Chapter has been closely following and participating in the shrimp regulation review because of the strong correlation between shrimping and sea turtle mortality.

Contained within the draft revisions is a proposal for the southern portion of the coast  that would greatly increase protection for endangered sea turtles. The proposed revisions call for the implementation of a closure to shrimping out to a depth of 60 feet (10 fathoms) from Aransas Pass to the Texas-Mexico border. "A closure to shrimping along the southern portion of the Texas coast would greatly reduce the number of endangered sea turtles captured and drowned in shrimp trawls," said Brian Sybert, Natural Resources Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.   "The five species of endangered sea turtles that inhabit the Texas coast will finally get the protection necessary for their recovery."

The National Park Service has been working on a multimillion dollar project to establish a second Kemp's ridley nesting site on Padre Island National Seashore (the other site is in Mexico). The purpose of the second nesting site is to ensure the recovery of the species, which is known as the world's most critically endangered sea turtle. The proposed shrimping closure along the Texas coast would aid in the establishment of the second nesting colony by removing the threat of shrimp trawls capturing the sea turtles as they congregate off south Texas beaches to breed and nest. In addition to protecting the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle, the closure would also help reduce the large number of non-target marine species killed as by-catch in shrimp trawls. The closure would also help protect sensitive bottom habitats on the ocean floor which are often destroyed by shrimp trawls.

"The Lone Star Chapter strongly supports Parks & Wildlife's proposal to implement a shrimping closure along the southern portion of the Texas coast. Parks & Wildlife should be commended for taking the initiative to protect sea turtles, reduce by-catch, and protect our states precious nearshore habitats," said Sybert.

To reduce the high level of shrimping on northern portion of the Texas coast Parks & Wildlife is proposing gear and time restrictions for the area extending from Aransas Pass the Texas-Louisiana border. "It is unlikely that the gear and time restrictions for the northern portion of the Texas coast will be effective at reducing the high level of shrimping effort," said Sybert. "The current level of shrimping effort results in high levels of sea turtle mortality, enormous amounts of by-catch, destruction of sensitive nearshore habitats, and increased water turbidity. The increased time and gear restrictions will not be able to keep shrimping vessels operating in the Gulf outside of state waters from coming into the nearshore area to shrimp, thus resulting in an increase in the shrimping effort."

Sybert urged that, "Parks & Wildlife should implement a year round closure in the northern portion of the coast to effectively reduce the shrimping effort. A year round closure is the only way to reduce effort over the long-term. A closure on the northern portion of the coast similar to the one proposed for the south Texas nearshore area would not only benefit sea turtles but also the shrimp industry. A closure on the northern portion of the coast would protect white shrimp spawning habitat and allow shrimp to mature and more farther offshore where they will be worth more per catch."

"In light of the fact that shrimpers in the Gulf are facing a 30% decrease in catch rates, a closure which would defer capture of shrimp and protect sea turtles would have measurable benefit to the shrimp industry," noted Sybert. "The fact that sea turtles are being captured in shrimp trawls and that the shrimp fishery is suffering from over fishing is evidence enough that a closure is needed for the entire Texas coast."

Click Here to View Sierra Club Comments on the Draft Shrimp Fishery Regulation Changes