International conference agrees to protections for sea turtles, sharks

PARIS - (AP) -- Environmental groups say delegates at an Atlantic conservation conference in Paris have taken measures to protect sea turtles and several types of sharks.

Conservation groups Oceana and the Pew Environment Group say representatives of 48 countries at the international meeting have banned fishermen from catching and retaining oceanic whitetip sharks in the Atlantic. Delegates also moved to protect several types of hammerhead sharks.

Oceana says Atlantic fishermen will also now be required to carry special gear to remove hooks from sea turtles.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, or ICCAT, took the measures Saturday.

The group sets regulations on fishing of tuna and other species that are traditionally accidental catches for tuna fishermen.