Recovery Plan for U.S. Pacific Populations of the Leatherback Turtle('Dermochelys coriacea')

摘要

The leatherback turtle is listed as Endangered throughout its range. In thePacific, leatherback populations are in severe decline and recovery actions must be given the highest riority. Primary threats to the species are incidental take in coastal and high seas fisheries, and the killing of nesting females and collecting of eggs at the nesting beaches. The United States does not have any nesting of leatherbacks in its jurisdiction in the Pacific, but has important foraging areas on the continental U.S. west coast and near the Hawaiian Islands. It is likely that stocks in U.S. water originate in Mexico and Central America, though some may originate from Southeast Asia as well. While not directly classified as a threat, the lack of information on the movement patterns and habitat needs of this entirely pelage species (leatherbacks are the only species which remains pelagic throughout its life) is severely hampering recovery efforts and must be addressed as a high priority. The recovery goal is to delist the species.