HARKERS ISLAND — Officials representing local commercial fishermen announced Thursday afternoon they will file suit against several federal and state agencies for alleged violation of the Endangered Species Act in regards to recreational taking of sea turtles.

The N.C. Fisheries Association teamed with the Carteret County Fisherman’s Association for the action and will be represented by local attorneys at Wheatly, Wheatly, Weeks, Lupton and Massie, a Beaufort firm.

Attorney Stevenson Weeks made the announcement at the Core Sound Waterfowl and History Museum.

The groups announced a 60-day notice of the intent to file the suit that will contend that while previous proceedings have enforced tough restrictions on the commercial fishing industry in regard to incidental captures of the aquatic creatures, the recreational sector remains largely unregulated.

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