Caught in the net

by Anthony V. Margavio

"In the summer and fall of 1989, hundreds of shrimpers captained their vessels into position to blockade the ports and waterways of the Gulf of Mexico. These shrimpers, challenging the required use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDS) to protect turtles from being caught in shrimp nets, felt themselves caught in the net of government regulation. Their action, the largest protest over marine resources in the history of the United States, was only the most visible response to a highly charged conflict." "National environmental groups, including the Center for Marine Conservation, had spearheaded a drive to protect sea turtles, which they believed were threatened by commercial fishing nets. Their efforts resulted in the federal government's requirement that shrimpers use TEDS, devices designed to greatly reduce turtle bycatch. In the ensuing conflict, alliances were complex. State governments divided in their responses, with Florida quickly implementing the regulations and Louisiana suing to