Remarkable steps have been taken by the US to protect threatened loggerhead sea turtles. In a joint ruling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a largest critical habitat has been designated to loggerhead sea turtles.

The nation has designated 1,100km of beaches from Mississippi to North Carolina and 777,000 sq km of ocean off the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as critical habitat for the turtles. As per environmentalists, it is the largest critical habitat ever designated in the US history.

The critical nesting and roaming habitat also include reproductive areas. "Given the vital role loggerhead sea turtles play in maintaining the health of our oceans, rebuilding their populations is key as we work to ensure healthy and resilient oceans for generations to come", affirmed Eileen Sobeck, Assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries.

Authorities concerned explained that protection does not mean there is complete no to public access to the designated areas. It is just that activities, including drilling and fisheries, will require further scrutiny to know if there is any possible impact of these activities on turtles.

The loggerhead turtle is most common sea turtle in the southeastern US. It migrates thousands of miles in US underwater, but it nests on Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico shores. The species that can live up to 40 years or more was included as endangered in 1978.

Fishing gear, pollution and climate change pose biggest threat to loggerheads. The legislation was passed by federal agencies to protect the habitat of loggerhead turtles in Gulf waters and the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of an action required by Endangered Species Act.