The federal government on Wednesday recommended an endangered-species listing for the loggerhead turtles in U.S. waters, a decision that could lead to tighter restrictions on fishing and other maritime trades. The massive, nomadic sea turtles have been listed since 1978 as threatened, a step below endangered, but federal scientists proposed ratcheting up the designation after reviewing the state of the species. Researchers said primary threats to the loggerheads include injury and death from fishing gear and damage to their nesting areas.

Endangered listing eyed for US loggerhead turtles. (2010, March 16). Manila Bulletin, p. B-8.