Comment from Kristi Hutchison

Dear Sea Turtle Coordinator, Loggerhead sea turtles across the globe struggle to survive against the constant threats from commercial fisheries, poachers, and ocean pollution. I strongly support the change in ESA listing from threatened to endangered status for loggerhead sea turtles, especially the U.S. populations in the North Pacific and Northwest Atlantic. Commercial longline fishing operations in Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico capture hundreds of these endangered sea turtles each year, a practice that must come to an end if loggerhead population recovery plans are to be successful. Marine debris, plastic pollution, and water poor quality continue to degrade loggerhead habitat and the ability of their populations to recover from their slide to extinction. Strong critical habitat protections for all loggerhead sea turtles are needed immediately. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my strong support of the endangered listings proposed for loggerhead sea turtles and my support for greater sea turtle protections through the designation of strong critical habitat in the near future.