Critical Habitat for Sea Turtles

Posted by Dawn M. Smith Dec 10, 2007

On both coasts of the United States, sea turtles are receiving some much-needed attention. When an area is designated as critical habitat for an endangered species, increased protections are put in place. This is the goal of two petitions presently before US government agencies charged with safeguarding sea turtles in US waters.

Fisheries interaction is the most important threat sea turtles face. Designation of critical habitat would reduce incidence of fisheries entanglement for sea turtles in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

In the Pacific, a petition to designate critical habitat for leatherback sea turtles would prevent fishermen from gaining access to feeding areas used by the leatherbacks. The areas would still be open for fishing when the sea turtles are not present.

In the Atlantic, efforts are underway to protect both feeding and nesting areas used by the North Atlantic population of loggerhead sea turtles. Two important feeding areas and 4 nesting areas would benefit from decreased fishing. The nesting areas would be protected against other types of human interference, including light pollution which disorients females returning to lay their eggs and hatchlings making their way to sea for the first time.

Lets hope that the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service make the right decision this time. Our oceans are much the richer for the presence of these ancient sea creatures.