Status Review of the Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) under the Endangered Species Act.

摘要

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was listed under the ESA on July 28, 1978. Breeding populations of the green turtle in Florida and along the Pacific Coast of Mexico were listed as endangered; all other populations were listed as threatened. In 2007, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); together the Services) completed a 5-year review for the green turtle. A 5-year review is an assessment of a listed species to determine whether its status has changed since the time of its listing such that it should be delisted or classified differently than its current status. The Services concluded that new information available since the completion of the previous reviews indicated a possible separation of populations by ocean basins but that a more in-depth analysis was needed to determine the application of the distinct population segment (DPS) policy. Based on the new information and the need for further analysis under the DPS policy, the Services recommended that no change in listing status was warranted in 2007. However, they committed to fully assemble and analyze all relevant information in accordance with the DPS policy. On February 16, 2012, the Services received a petition from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs to identify the Hawaiian green turtle population as a DPS and delist the DPS under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.). On August 1, 2012, NMFS (with USFWS concurrence) determined that the petition presented substantial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted and initiated a status review to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted. The Services decided to review the Hawaiian population in the context of examining green turtles globally with regard to application of the DPS policy and in light of significant new information since the listing of the species in 1978. This is consistent with the recommendation in the 2007 review.