GULFPORT, Miss.—Federal authorities are investigating whether fishermen eager to maximize their catch ahead of the massive oil slick threatening the Gulf Coast have been killing endangered sea turtles, an official said Wednesday.
Wildlife officials say at least 35 endangered sea turtles have washed up on Gulf coast beaches, but it's not clear what's killing them. Necropsies have shown no signs of oil.
Investigators will look into whether some shrimp boats taking part in an emergency shrimping season removed devices from their nets that are intended to allow turtles to escape, said Sheryan Epperly, sea turtle team leader for the National Marine Fisheries Service.
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