Threatened (light blue) and endangered (dark blue) green turtle distinct population segments (DPSs): 1. North Atlantic, 2. Mediterranean, 3. South Atlantic, 4. Southwest Indian, 5. North Indian, 6. East India-West Pacific, 7. Central West Pacific, 8. Southwest Pacific, 9. Central South Pacific, 10. Central North Pacific, and 11. East Pacific. (Credit: NOAA)
N.O.A.A. Fisheries and the U.S.F.W.S. suggested today to reclassify the green sea turtle under the Endangered Species Act, and list turtles originating from 2 breeding populations currently considered endangered as threatened due to enhancements in their populations.
After a review of the global status of green sea turtles, the agencies are proposing to reclassify the species into eleven Distinct Population Segments (DPS) under the ESA, which maintains federal protections while providing a more tailored approach for managers to address specific threats facing different populations. Years of coordinated conservation efforts have resulted in increasing numbers of turtles nesting in Florida and along the Pacific Coast of Mexico. As a result, the agencies are proposing threatened rather than endangered status for the 2 DPS that encompass those breeding populations.
Green sea turtles are found around the globe in tropical and subtropical waters. (Credit: NOAA)
More information about the eleven DPS and the suggested status of each population can be found online. The Florida and Mexican Pacific Coast breeding populations are encompassed within the North Atlantic and East Pacific DPS respectively.
"Successful conservation and management efforts have, in effect, improved the listing status of 2 breeding populations of green sea turtles from endangered to threatened. This is an important step in building resilient ocean ecosystems," said Eileen Sobeck, assistant N.O.A.A. administrator for fisheries. "Identifying distinct population segments across the green sea turtle's range would provide the flexibility necessary to help individual populations based on localized threats. N.O.A.A. and our partners continue to study green sea turtles to ensure that our conservation and management decisions are driven by the best accessible science."
In 2012, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs petitioned N.O.A.A. Fisheries to identify the green sea turtle population found in Hawaii as a distinct population segment, and to remove it from listing under the ESA. Although both agencies found that the Central North Pacific green sea turtle population in Hawaii does constitute a DPS, they also found that due to its small and narrowly distributed nesting population, and the threats of climate change and sea level rise, it warrants continued protections as a threatened species under the ESA.
"The suggestion to revise the status of green sea turtles breeding in Florida and Mexico from endangered to threatened shows that conservation is making a difference, and once again demonstrates the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act in protecting and recovering our most at-risk species," said U.S.F.W.S. director Dan Ashe.
N.O.A.A. Fisheries and the U.S.F.W.S. reviewed the global status of green sea turtles. (Credit: NOAA)
As part of the global status review, the agencies examined the best scientific information accessible on green sea turtles throughout their global range. The review included data gathered from researchers, non-governmental organizations, industry groups, other federal, state and local government agencies, and members of the public. Advances in genetic studies, and telemetry and tagging data have improved the agencies' understanding of the green sea turtle's population structure and distribution since its initial listing.
The agencies are beginning a 90-day public review period for this suggestion to gather new information relevant to the status change. This includes potential critical habitat for the green sea turtle and information that will help ensure that the final determination is based on the best accessible scientific and commercial information. Critical habitat in Puerto Rico that was designated in 1998 is suggested to remain in effect for the North Atlantic DPS. The deadline for comments is June 22.
Submit comments, information or data on this document, identified by the code NOAA-NMFS-2012-0154:
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Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0154, click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
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Mail: Submit written comments to
Office of Protected Resources
N.O.A.A. Fisheries
1315 East-West Hwy.
Silver Spring Maryland 20910; or
Green Turtle Suggested Listing Rule
U.S.F.W.S.
North Florida Ecological Services Office
7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200
Jacksonville Florida 32256.
To learn more about sea turtles, go to http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/
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