Fishery’s Expansion Threatens Endangered Leatherbacks Off California

In an inexplicable move, the National Marine Fisheries Service has allowed a little known fishery that targets bottom-dwelling sablefish to expand into federally designated habitat for critically endangered Pacific leatherback turtles. The fishery's lines can wrap around sea turtles’ necks or front flippers, anchoring them to the heavy pots on the seafloor, resulting in horrible deaths and injury.