UN General Assembly urges governments to protect endangered sea turtles and sea birds

A resolution adopted by consensus by the 191 nation General assembly on Monday, has urged governments to take urgent steps to protect endangered sea turtles and sea birds from an indiscriminate fishing technique. Large fishing vessels in the Pacific Ocean use a form of industrial fishing known as longline fishing, snaring millions of sea turtles and birds along with the fish they catch. One of the hardest-hit is the leatherback sea turtle. Scientists have issued warning that leatherback could disappear in the next five to 30 years unless fishing techniques are altered. The resolution also advocates closing some fishing areas on a seasonal or continuous basis