Judge Bans Fishing Tactic to Save Turtles

A federal judge in Honolulu banned longline fishing in an area of the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii to protect dwindling numbers of sea turtles from accidental capture. The ban, covering thousands of square miles rich with swordfish, was sought by environmentalists but fiercely opposed by fishing fleets. Fishermen said fish caught in the zone represent about 25% of the Hawaii longliners’ yearly catch, valued at about $60 million.