The modern world poses many threats to ancient sea turtles: poaching, entanglement in fishing gear, destruction of nesting sites, and pollution of the oceans. The greatest threat comes from the capture of sea turtles in shrimp nets. As the public's taste for shrimp increases, so does the danger to sea turtles. Turtle excluder devices (TEDs), installed in shrimp nets, offer the simple solution. If the public demands "turtle-safe" shrimp the way they do "dolphin-safe" tuna, then the industry will be forced to use TEDs consistently.



Grade Level: 7-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 1999     Copyright Date: 1998
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-629-2     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-790-5

Reviews "Environmental studies and science classes will find this an essential aid in their consideration of current environmental events." School Library Journal "The high-quality film documents the threats facing sea turtles and educates viewers about the urgent need to protect these endangered creatures... an effective educational tool for legislators and others." The Animals' Agenda "An overview of human impacts on the survival of sea turtles...illustrates the complexity of the problems, and provides insight into why solutions are neither easily devised nor implemented. Suggests concrete avenues for improvement...Leaves the viewer with a realistic by hopeful outlook." Cathy Schaeff, PhD, Dept. of Conservation Biology and Molecular Ecology, American University "Makes room for discourse on a variety of levels, inevitably leaving the viewer with the realization that we must evaluate our lifestyles and our priorities." H. Peter Steeves, Asst. Professor of Philosophy, DePaul University