Turtle-Safe

Contessa Is More Than Turtle-Safe.
Contessa Is Turtle-Friendly.

Although a variety of these species inhabit the oceans of the world, sea turtles seem to all share one common thread: Their numbers are either endangered or threatened by human encroachment.

Determining the exact cause of dwindling sea turtle populations has triggered controversy in governmental, industrial and environmental circles. Some believe the prime culprit is ocean-based shrimp harvesting, citing cases where the reptiles get trapped and drowned in shrimp nets. Others blame poachers, who continue feeding the lucrative international black market trades in sea turtle shells, meat, skins and eggs.

Because Contessa's products are farm-raised and harvested away from waters inhabited by all species of marine turtle, Contessa is, and always has been, 100 percent turtle-safe. Contessa's controlled cultivation process has never contributed to the harm of a single sea turtle. Still, Contessa has earned a reputation for supporting wildlife and environmental efforts, including helping to coax one of the endangered sea turtle species back from near extinction.

Like other sea turtles, the Kemp's Ridley, which makes its home in the coastal waters and bays of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, was once a thriving member of the world's aquatic community. Over the last 50 years, however, the Kemp's Ridley, the smallest of the sea turtles, has experienced profound mortality rates.

Concerned with the plight of the species, Contessa began supporting sea turtle conservation projects before anyone was certain that intervention would solve such a serious problem. The Rancho Nuevo Restoration Project and the Gladys Porter Zoo - which protect Kemp's Ridley nesting sites along the Gulf coasts in the United States and Mexico - are among programs that Contessa proudly supports.

Once the world's most endangered turtle, the Kemp's Ridley is now making a swift comeback. In 2006, more than 782,000 hatchlings were released into the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Pat Burchfield, director of the Gladys Porter Zoo, has this to say about Contessa's contribution to the Kemp's Ridley's rebound:

"The year 2007 represented a milestone in the effort to recover the population of the world's most endangered sea turtle, the Kemp's Ridley. More than 1 million hatchlings were released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Mexico/U.S. binational turtle camps along the Tamaulipas-Veracruz Mexico coastline. Texas also had a record nesting with 128 nests and more than 10,000 hatchlings released.

"Since 1993, Contessa Premium Foods has supported this important recovery effort. Thanks go to the good folks at Contessa for their commitment to protecting the Kemp's Ridley."

To learn more about Kemp's Ridley conservation efforts, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Web site.