NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : U.S. Expands Sea Turtle Safety Rules
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Year-round use of devices to save endangered sea turtles from being trapped in the nets of Atlantic Coast shrimpers was ordered by the government. Earlier regulations had required Turtle Excluder Devices, or TEDs, only between May 1 and Aug. 31. The cage-like devices with a trap-door escape hatch prevent turtles from drowning in shrimp nets. Turtle-protecting regulations first took effect in 1989, and were hotly controversial among shrimpers in Texas and Louisiana, who staged blockades.
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