Draft
Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle Recovery Plan,
Second Revision
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a recovery plan?
A1: A recovery plan provides information on the management and research
activities related to recovery of an endangered or threatened species.
It serves as a road map for species recovery by laying out where to go
and how to get there. Primarily, a recovery plan: (1) delineates those
aspects of the species’ biology, life history, and threats that
are pertinent to its endangerment and recovery; (2) outlines and justifies
a recovery strategy; (3) identifies the actions necessary to support recovery
of the species; and (4) identifies goals and criteria by which to measure
progress. The information included in a recovery plan provides a framework
of actions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries
Service, and their partners to take to protect a federally listed species
and its habitat to recover the species so that its population is self-sustaining
and no longer needs protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Q2: What is the Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle Recovery Plan’s history?
A2: An initial recovery plan for the loggerhead turtle was approved
on September 19, 1984. This initial plan was a multi-species plan for
all six species of sea turtles occurring in the U.S. On December 26, 1991,
a separate recovery plan for the U.S. Atlantic population of the loggerhead
turtle was approved. In 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services),
which share regulatory jurisdiction for sea turtles, initiated the process
to revise the Atlantic loggerhead plan for a second time. A 7-member Atlantic
Loggerhead Turtle Recovery Team, consisting of species experts, was established
to draft this revision. The first meeting of the new team was held in
May 2002.
Q3: Why is the plan being revised?
A3: The Services regularly review recovery plans to ensure the most
current information is being considered in our actions to recover listed
species and to incorporate changes in our plans where appropriate. Since
approval of the first revised plan in 1991, significant research has been
accomplished and important conservation and recovery activities have been
undertaken. As a result, we have a greater knowledge of the species and
its status. These advances in our understanding of the loggerhead sea
turtle make a second revision of the Atlantic loggerhead recovery plan
necessary.
Q4: How is the 2nd draft
revision likely to differ from its predecessor?
A4: In this revision, the Services will identify and consider new
information and important conservation and recovery activities that have
been undertaken since the 1991 plan was approved. Additionally, great
care will be taken in this revision to provide what we believe are "objective,
measurable criteria" that, when met, would result in a determination that
the species be removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.
Q5: Who develops the recovery plan?
A5: A 7-member Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle Recovery Team made up
of species experts is assisting the Services in drafting this revision.
Recovery team members are:
∙ Dr.
Alan Bolten (Team Leader), Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research,
University of Florida
∙ Dr.
Larry Crowder, Duke University Marine Laboratory
∙ Mr.
Mark Dodd, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
∙ Ms.
Sandy MacPherson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
∙ Dr.
Jack Musick, The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William
& Mary
∙ Ms.
Barbara Schroeder, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service
∙ Dr.
Blair Witherington, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
Florida Marine Research Institute
Q6: Do stakeholders and members
of the general public have input into the plan’s recovery goals,
criteria, and action items?
A6: Yes, we will be seeking stakeholder, scientific peer review, and
general public input and comment on the plan in several ways. In accordance
with the ESA, a formal opportunity for public review and comment is required
for all new and revised recovery plans, and input received during this
period must be considered prior to completion and approval of the plan.
Once a revised plan has been drafted, a Notice of Availability of a Draft
Recovery Plan for Review and Comment will be published in the Federal
Register with a 60-day period for formal public review. To ensure
recovery plans are based on the best scientific information and judgment,
our policy also requires the Services to solicit independent peer review
on recovery plans from appropriate local, State, and Federal agencies;
Tribal governments; academic and scientific groups and individuals; and/or
any other party that may possess pertinent information.
In addition to these requirements for seeking formal public comment and
scientific peer review, the Services believe it is necessary to involve
stakeholders early in the process both by sharing information on the plan’s
development and by seeking input. To accomplish this, we will be posting
individual sections of the revised plan as they are drafted on the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s web site at
http://www.fws.gov/northflorida. The public can send information to the Services at
seaturtle@fws.gov.
Individuals sending messages sent to this e-mail address will receive
an automated response indicating that the message was received.
To further involve stakeholders in the planning process, in April 2003
the recovery team will be holding informational meetings with representatives
of several stakeholders groups to discuss major threats to the species,
as well as stakeholder concerns, and to identify, where possible, how
a collaborative approach might provide a potential solution to the identified
threats and concerns. To ensure compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, the recovery team will be seeking stakeholder input on an individual
basis rather than seeking recommendations from a group as a whole. We
also will be making information available to stakeholders through informational
mailings and other communication avenues as appropriate.
Q7: Is the recovery plan part of the Services’ other regulatory activities, such as section 7 consultations
with Federal agencies?
A7: A recovery plan is a guidance document; not a regulatory document.
The ESA clearly envisions a recovery plan as the central organizing tool
for guiding the Services and their partners in efforts to recover a species.
While the regulatory actions the Services may pursue are independent of
the recovery plan, they do serve as management tools in implementing the
actions set forth in the plan.
Q8: How do I add my name to the contact
list for information on future actions related to loggerhead turtle recovery
planning?
A8: Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s web site at
http://www.fws.gov/northflorida,
e-mail your request to seaturtle@fws.gov
or call us at 904-232-2580 (ext. 109) to be added the contact list or
to request more information.
Q9: Where can I find more information about sea turtles?
A9: Visit the NOAA/National Marine Fisheries
Service at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR3/Turtles/turtles.html
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at:
http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/SeaTurtles/seaturtle-info.htm
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