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Environmental Law

: ESA Blawg

NOAA seeks comments on potential listing of loggerhead sea turtles

By Keith Rizzardi

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73 Fed. Reg 11849- (March 5, 2008)(Listing Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Designating Critical Habitat; 90-day Finding for a Petition to Reclassify the Loggerhead Turtle in the Western North Atlantic Ocean) click here for pdf

SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce the 90–day finding for a petition to reclassify loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the western North Atlantic Ocean as a
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) with endangered status and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The loggerhead is currently listed as threatened throughout its range. We find that the petition presents substantial scientific information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. We have initiated a review of the status of the species to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted and to determine whether any additional changes to the current listing of the loggerhead turtle are warranted. To ensure a comprehensive review, we solicit information and comments pertaining to this species from any interested party. DATES: Written comments and information related to this petition finding must be received by May 5, 2008.

Loggerhead Turtle escaping a trawl net equipped with turtle excluder device (TED), photo from NOAA

NOTEWORTHY EXCERPT: To ensure that the status review is complete and based on the best available data, we solicit information and comments on whether loggerhead turtles in the western North Atlantic Ocean, or any other area, qualify as a DPS and, if so, whether it should be classified as threatened or endangered. Specifically, we are soliciting information in the following areas relative to loggerheads in the western North Atlantic and elsewhere: (1) Historical and current population status and trends; (2) historical and current distribution; (3) migratory movements and behavior; (4) genetic population structure; (5) current or planned activities that may adversely impact loggerheads; and (6) ongoing efforts to protect loggerheads.

Full post as published by ESA Blawg on March 05, 2008 (boomark / email).