Content-Type: text/html 10,000 nests a year seems like quite a bit in just one county to warrant an endangered status for loggerhead turtles. Also, what about beaches that have seen an increase in loggerhead nests/individuals over 30 years? These data don't seem to be focused upon and they appear to be diluted by declines from other areas, some of which should not be included in any analyses demonstrating historic declines (i.e. Little Cumberland Island, GA). It seems that there is enough data that could be collated and presented that would NOT SUPPORT an up-listing for loggerheads. Given the existence of such data it would be surprising if the petition's efforts to uplist loggerheads is successful. And, having scientists apparently ignoring the possibility that the petition is one-sided can only serve to foment distrust within the general public that sea turtle biologists are motivated by agenda rather than sound scientific practices. Mike Frick -----Original Message----- From: Gary Appelson <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, Mar 12, 2010 11:15 am Subject: RE: U.S. Proposes to List Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Endangered Hi Mike, we have had these discussions before. Palm Beach County can have over 10,000 nests!!! Gary Appelson Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League 4424 NW 13th St., Suite B-11 Gainesville, Fl. 32609 352-373-6441 From: Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Frick Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:01 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: U.S. Proposes to List Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Endangered Nests relocated on Wassaw Island Georgia have a higher hatch rate than insitu nests. Maybe your employees need to be trained on how to relocate nests. Plus, relocate nests sooner than 6 hours after deposition. If people are serious about increasing turtle populations than such measures should be taken before getting courts involved. Uplisting is a band-aid. Mike Frick -----Original Message----- From: Michael O'Brien <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2010 11:29 am Subject: Re: U.S. Proposes to List Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Endangered Hello Mike, The proposed uplisting of loggerheads does not come with any Federal funding for Broward County's Sea Turtle Conservation Program, which still has to fight each year for its meager $200,000 from the Broward County Commission. Last year's effort to obtain dedicated funding was unsuccessful. FWC issues marine turtle permits for conservation activities, but it is my experience that the uplisting will likely further restrict the activities which can be undertaken, such as Turtle Walks that the Museum of Discovery and Science conducts (they are not allowed to approach green and leatherbacks, only loggerheads, presumably because of the endangered listing). Relocating nests decreases hatch rates substantially, and there is disagreement as to whether a high risk nest location is better off in situ or being relocated. The BCSTCP relocates some nests and cages some very high risk nests, and hatchling rescue volunteers have been filling in the gap with 60 volunteers last year monitoring nests and combing the beach for disoriented turtles throughout Broward County. Relocation is problematic in Broward not just because of limited resources, but because of the limited places that can be considered low risk along the highly developed beachfront, and because of the short window of time in which to complete the relocation after egg deposition (no more than 12 hours). Lighting issues are still a concern, with some cities like Hollywood that have not enacted lighting ordinances at all, and others like Fort Lauderdale that actively enforce their ordinances with a "little bit better each year" approach. Concerns over public safety on the beaches at night, and business visibility concerns create a difficult situation for local authorities to balance, and make aggressive lighting ordinance enforcement a political hot potato. Hotels and businesses are not required by the State to "shut their lights off". A variety of turtle-friendlier lighting products are available that produce light wavelengths that are less disorienting to nesting females and hatchlings, and which will help bring lighting into compliance with the State guidelines. These and other retrofit products (shields, hoods, etc.) are encouraged, and several public outreach meetings are conducted each year to educate the businesses and public on lighting issues. Yours, Michael O'Brien On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 12:23 AM, Michael Frick <[log in to unmask]> wrote: If loggerheads are endangered now does that mean nests in Broward county should be relocated instead of allowing hatchlings to crawl into parking lots just to make a point that hotel owners should shut off their lights? Mike Frick -----Original Message----- From: David Godfrey <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wed, Mar 10, 2010 4:13 pm Subject: U.S. Proposes to List Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Endangered U.S. Proposes to List Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Endangered; An Endangered Species Act Success Story Turned on its Head GAINESVILLE, FL—Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC), the world’s oldest sea turtle research and protection group, applauded the proposal made public today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Service (Services) to designate Northwest Atlantic loggerhead turtles as Endangered. (See http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/species/turtle_loggerhead_proposed_dps.pdf) This proposed change in status from Threatened to Endangered recognizes the plight of rapidly declining American loggerheads, which nest on beaches from North Carolina to Texas and until 1998 were an Endangered Species Act success story. Florida accounts for over 90% of loggerhead nesting in the United States. Protection provided by the Endangered Species Act and implementation of regulations requiring Turtle Excluder Devices in shrimp nets to prevent the drowning of entrapped turtles contributed to encouraging nesting increases from 1986 to 1998. Since that time, however, nesting throughout Florida has declined by over 40%. Nesting populations also are declining in the other states for which long-term information is available. Loggerheads face numerous threats onshore where they nest and at sea, but accidental capture, injury and death in commercial fisheries is perhaps the greatest peril to their survival today. CCC and other conservation groups repeatedly have sounded the alarm about declining numbers of loggerheads. In January, concern about the species was elevated when loggerheads were ominously absent among sea turtles rescued from record cold waters in Florida. Over 4,000 juvenile sea turtles were affected by prolonged freezing temperatures. Unlike previous cold-stun events, when a near even mix of green turtles and loggerheads were impacted, almost all of the turtles found this year were green turtles. The absence of loggerheads among the massive number of turtles rescued raises concerns that juvenile loggerheads, as well as nesting adults, are in decline. Through the action announced Wednesday, the Services propose to list seven distinct loggerhead populations as Endangered, including those in the Mediterranean Sea, North Indian Ocean, North Pacific, Northeast Atlantic, Northwest Atlantic, South Pacific and Southeast Indo-Pacific Ocean. Because it is the world’s second largest remaining assemblage of loggerheads, however, saving Northwest Atlantic loggerheads is critical to the global survival of this species. “This proposal is long overdue,” said David Godfrey, CCC’s Executive Director. Loggerheads spend many years in the open ocean before settling into near-shore habitats; the varied loggerhead diet of soft invertebrates and hard-shelled animals puts the species more at risk from fisheries than any other species of sea turtle. “Overwhelming evidence points to accidental capture in fishing lines, hooks, nets and dredges as the main culprit in these declines,” continued Godfrey. “International fleets capture, injure and kill tens of thousands of loggerheads on the high seas every year. In U.S. waters, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has allowed our fisheries to kill thousands of large and small loggerheads rather than adequately regulate fishing.” Godfrey warned that much of what has been accomplished over the last three decades for this species will be lost if NMFS does not implement serious fisheries policy changes soon. From its base in Florida, CCC has worked for decades to protect loggerheads and the habitats on which they depend. The organization has championed the protection of critical nesting sites and promoted sensible coastal development policies to ensure sea turtles and people can coexist on Florida’s beaches. The State of Florida, through its Marine Turtle Protection Act, and many coastal governments have enacted strong laws and regulations to protect sea turtles. And a strong network of volunteer turtle groups around Florida and in most states where turtles nest have been working for years to monitor and protect this species. Despite these combined efforts, loggerheads are slipping closer toward extinction. Clearly, much more needs to be done to protect loggerhead sea turtles in Florida, the United States, and throughout the world, said Godfrey “Despite the proposed new endangered status for this species, loggerheads can still be saved if U.S. efforts are appropriately focused.” Godfrey said. “For starters, the National Marine Fisheries Service should take immediate steps to loggerhead capture in fisheries.” CCC advocates year-round area restrictions for the reef fish bottom longline fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and long-awaited requirements for Turtle Excluder Devices in U.S. trawl net fisheries. In addition, local and state governments must adopt comprehensive changes in coastal management policies to ensure adequate protection of nesting beaches, Godfrey added. “CCC will use all means at its disposal to reverse the decline of the loggerhead, which more than any other species is America’s flagship sea turtle species,” Godfrey pledged. “Our 50-year-long green turtle recovery program in Costa Rica has helped bring about a 500% increase in nesting of this species. We know how to achieve the same results for loggerheads, if the U.S. and other governments have the will.” XXX Background on CCC Loggerhead conservation efforts: • In the late 1980’s CCC was instrumental in establishing the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge on Florida’s Mid-Atlantic coast, the nation’s only federal refuge specifically designated to protect sea turtle nesting beaches. Subsequently, we worked with private donors, federal, state, and local governments to identify suitable properties for purchase. We helped form and remain active in the Archie Carr Working Group to address research, education and refuge management. • In 1995, CCC spearheaded a campaign to establish the Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate in Florida. The turtle tag is now the top selling conservation tag in the state and is the principal funding source for Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Program. The license plate also supports the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program, which is administered by CCC and awards $300,000 annually to support research, conservation and education programs in the state. • CCC serves on the Technical Advisory Committee of Florida’s developing Habitat Conservation Plan to establish guidelines minimizing impacts to turtles from coastal development policies. • In partnership with Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, CCC manages education programs conducted at the Barrier Island Center—a state-of-the-art environmental education center located within the Archie Carr Refuge. • In 2009 helped to initiate two lawsuits to halt the killing of thousands of loggerheads caught by commercial bottom long-line fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. We are actively engaged in reducing sea turtle drowning in trawl nets and capture by other fisheries. • CCC also leads a long-term campaign to reform coastal management policies that fail to protect sea turtles from unwise coastal development and sea wall construction on nesting beaches. • CCC has developed fun new ways to educate the public about sea turtles and inspire support for their protection, such as the “Tour de Turtles”—an online education event based on the satellite-tracked migrations of loggerhead turtles released in Florida (www.tourdeturtles.org). • CCC serves as a clearinghouse for educational material regarding sea turtle biology and conservation, which is provided for free to coastal governments, conservation organizations, tourists, school teachers and the public. **************************************************************** David Godfrey Executive Director Caribbean Conservation Corporation 4424 NW 13th Street, Suite B-11, Gainesville, FL 32609 (352) 373-6441 Website: www.cccturtle.org Email: [log in to unmask] Skype Address: cccturtle *************************************************************** <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> To leave the CTURTLE list, send a message to: [log in to unmask] with the message: signoff CTURTLE If you experience difficulty, send an email to: [log in to unmask]EDU <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> To leave the CTURTLE list, send a message to: [log in to unmask] with the message: signoff CTURTLE If you experience difficulty, send an email to: [log in to unmask]EDU <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> To leave the CTURTLE list, send a message to: [log in to unmask] with the message: signoff CTURTLE If you experience difficulty, send an email to: [log in to unmask]EDU <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> To leave the CTURTLE list, send a message to: [log in to unmask] with the message: signoff CTURTLE If you experience difficulty, send an email to: [log in to unmask]EDU <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> To leave the CTURTLE list, send a message to: [log in to unmask] with the message: signoff CTURTLE If you experience difficulty, send an email to: [log in to unmask] <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>