Final Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis on Sea Turtle Conservation Measures for the Pound Net Fishery in Virginia Waters of the Chesapeake Bay

摘要

For the past 23 years, there have been a growing number of spring sea turtle strandings in Virginia, which NMFS has reason to believe are associated with the migration of sea turtles into the Chesapeake Bay in May and June, and interactions with pound net leaders in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. All sea turtles that occur in U.S. waters are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) are listed as endangered. The loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles are listed as threatened, except for breeding populations of green turtles in Florida and on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, which are listed as endangered.