By Rhishja Larson •
January 5, 2010
More than 70,000 square miles of habitat has been proposed for critically endangered leatherback turtles in U.S. waters off California, Oregon, and Washington.
Endangered species protection finally advances in favor of leatherback turtles: The National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a proposal today for 70,000 square miles of critical habitat in the waters off the U.S. Pacific Coast.
By Rhishja Larson •
July 28, 2009
Customs officials in Brunei discovered 4,150 marine turtle eggs - the contents of about 30 - 40 nests - in the largest turtle egg seizure so far this year.
Acting on a tip from the public, it was reported that customs officials at the Kuala Lurah Control Post were able to confiscate 4,150 illegal turtle eggs hidden beneath boxes of dried shrimp in a vehicle attempting to enter the country.
Three species of marine turtles - Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green - nest in the area. Hawksbill Turtles lay about 140 eggs per nest, Olive Ridleys about 105, and Green Turtle nests contain about 100 eggs.
The lucrative black market in turtle eggs is so pervasive that turtle eggs can reportedly be ordered in advance among illegal traders. The eggs apparently change hands after traders and buyers identify each other with clandestine hand signals, sometimes in public places, such as the busy Kota Kinabalu market.
