[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 3, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8095-S8096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS:
  S. 2897. A bill to assist in the conservation of marine turtles and 
the nesting habitats of marine turtles in foreign countries; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Marine 
Turtle Conservation Act of 2002.''
  Marine turtles were once abundant, but now they are in serious 
trouble. Six of the seven recognized species are listed as threatened 
on endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and all seven species 
have been included in Appendix I of the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, CITES. Because 
marine turtles are long-lived, late-maturing, and highly migratory, 
they are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of human exploitation 
and habitat loss. In addition, for some species, illegal trade 
seriously threatens wild populations. Because of the immense challenges 
facing marine turtles, the resources available to date have not been 
sufficient to cope with the continued loss of nesting habitat due to 
human activities and the resulting diminution of marine turtle 
populations.
  The Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2002 is modeled after the 
successful Asian Elephant Conservation Act, the African Elephant 
Conservation Act, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act. These 
acts have established programs within the Department of the Interior to 
assist in the conservation and preservation of these species around the 
world. More than 300 projects have been funded and generated millions 
of dollars in private matching funds from sponsors representing a 
diverse group of conservation organizations. The projects range from 
purchasing anti-poaching equipment for wildlife rangers to implementing 
elephant conservation plans to aerial monitoring of the Northern white 
rhinoceros.

[[Page S8096]]

  The Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2002 will assist in the 
recovery and protection of marine turtles by supporting and providing 
financial resources for projects to conserve nesting habitats of marine 
turtles in foreign countries and marine turtles while they are found in 
such habitats, to prevent illegal trade in marine turtle parts and 
projects, and to address other threats to the survival of marine 
turtles. The bill authorizes $5 million annually to implement the 
program.
  This legislation will help to preserve this ancient and distinctive 
part of the world's biological diversity.
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