LEATHERBACK TURTLE PLACED ON ENDANGERED LIST By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- The world's largest sea turtle has been placed on Australia's threatened species list by the Federal Government.

The leatherback turtle, which was previously classified as vulnerable, is
now considered to be an endangered species.

"The uplisting is mainly due to the ongoing threats the turtle faces from
unsustainable harvesting of egg and meat and pressures from commercial fishing
outside Australian waters," Environment Minister Peter Garrett said.

The leatherbacks, also found in Dungun in east coast state of Trengganu,
average around 1.6 metres in length and weigh between 250 and 700 kilogrammes.

They are found in tropical and temperate waters around Australia off the
south Queensland and NSW coasts and off Western Australia's coast, south of
Geraldton.

The Government is presently reviewing the recovery plan for marine turtles
in Australia.

"Where appropriate, the revised plan would include more stringent measures
to reflect the changes to the turtles' conservation status," Garrett said.
-- BERNAMA