Comment from amy lagrone

Dear Administrator Tossatto, I strongly oppose efforts to increase the allowable interactions with endangered sea turtles in the Hawaii-based shallow set longline swordfish fishery (NOAA-NMFS-2012-0068). By doubling the allowable loggerhead sea turtle catch from 17 to 34, you further jeopardize a distinct population segment of the species uplisted to endangered status under the Endangered Species Act in 2011. The total take allowance needs to be decreased, not increased, to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of shallow longline interactions to the endangered populations of loggerheads and leatherbacks encountered in this fishery. Sea turtles thrived for millions of years before the devestating impacts of commercial fishing decimated their Pacific populations. I care deeply about what happens to these magnificent creatures and will not stand by and watch as they are steadily eliminated in order to put more swordfish on plates. I am very disappointed that NMFS would even consider increasing the allowable take from 16 to 26 critically endangered Pacific leatherbacks in the near future. I ask that you consider the legal, ethical, and environmental consequences of allowing the proposed policy to take effect, and that you make the right choice to reduce, not increase, the impacts of longline fishing on these innocent marine reptiles. Increasing the sea turtle impacts from the Hawaii-based longline fishery would violate the Endangered Species Act (ESA) which requires NMFS to ensure that sea turtle populations not only continue to survive, but recover. This drastic increase in allowable take from 33 loggerehead and leatherback sea turtles to 60 would not only stop recovery, but cause total population reduction. Thank you, amy lagrone