Decline of the Sea Turtles: Causes and Prevention.

A report submitted by the Committee on Sea Turtle Conservation, addresses threats to the world's sea turtle populations to fulfill a mandate of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1988. It presents information on the populations, biology, ecology, and behavior of five endangered or threatened turtle species: the Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill, and green sea turtle. The report includes an examination of the relationship between sea turtle and human activity for the purpose of providing information for an assessment of the effectiveness of and need for regulations requiring the use of turtle excluder devices (TED's) by commercial shrimp trawlers. The sources of turtle mortality investigated include activities involving fisheries, dredging, boat collisions, removal of oil platforms, and plastics and debris. Conservation measures are analyzed that seek to protect sea turtle habitat. The report includes the rationale and objectives of a recovery plan, and discussion about education and technology transfer. Appendices are as follows: (1) Endangered Species Act Amendment of 1988; (2) interim report, committee on sea turtle conservation; (3) illustrations of TEDs; (4) aerial survey data of sea turtles in fishing zones; (5) sea turtle stranding data; (6) shrimp fishing efforts; (7) annotated and chronological list of educational efforts on TEDs for fishermen by the National Marine Fisheries Service; (8) annotated and chronological list of educational efforts on TEDs for fishermen by Sea Grant; (9) newsletters and notices pertaining to TEDs; and (10) biographies of committee members. The conclusions drawn from the study suggest conservation measures including the use of TED's, and increased protection for the turtles. Recommendations are also made to improve data bases, establish long-term population surveys, and initiate experimental programs to increase population sizes. (319 references) (MCO)