Democracy Now: BP, Coast Guard Sued for Burning Endangered Sea Turtles

Two environmental groups have announced plans to file suit to prevent BP from burning alive endangered sea turtles in the cleanup of the Gulf Coast. In a widely circulated video, Gulf Coast boat captain Mike Ellis says BP has prevented rescuers from saving turtles trapped in the middle of controlled burns.

Catherine Craig: “So when they’re burning the oil, they’re burning whatever gets caught in—”

Mike Ellis: “Well yes, they drag a boom between two shrimp boats and whatever gets caught between the two boats they circle it up and catch it on fire. Once the turtles are in there, they can’t get out. I mean they come up, they look like they’re chocolate-covered.”

The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network say they’ll file suit against BP as well as the US Coast Guard under the Endangered Species Act.

~ by wheresthemic on June 30, 2010.