Peer Review of Scientific Information

Draft Revision of the Recovery Plan for the U.S. Atlantic Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Peer Review Plan

About the Document

Title: Technical/Agency Draft of the Second Revision of the Recovery Plan for the U.S. Atlantic Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

Purpose: The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively the Services) to develop and implement recovery plans for listed species.  The loggerhead sea turtle was listed as threatened throughout its range on July 28, 1978, under the ESA and has received Federal protection since that time.  The National Marine Fisheries Service approved the initial recovery plan for the loggerhead 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 31, 1991, the Services approved a separate recovery plan for the U.S. population of the loggerhead, focusing on the Atlantic.  A separate plan for U.S. Pacific populations of the loggerhead was approved by the Services in 1998.  In 2001, the Services initiated the process to revise the plan for the U.S. Atlantic population of loggerheads.  An Atlantic Loggerhead Recovery Team, consisting of species experts, was established to draft this revision.

Since approval of the first revised plan in 1991, significant research has been accomplished and important recovery activities have been undertaken.  As a result, we have a greater knowledge of the species and its status.  This second revision of the recovery plan addresses current threats and needs; includes a detailed threats assessment; highlights conservation accomplishments that have been undertaken since the species was listed; provides objective, measurable recovery criteria; and specifically addresses the planning requirements of the ESA.

Estimated Dissemination Date:  Peer review was initiated on March 4, 2008.

The Services will solicit comments from independent scientific reviewers.  The scientific peer review will overlap with public review which is anticipated to also begin in March 2008.  There are three external peer reviewers (Drexel University, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission) and one internal agency reviewer (National Marine Fisheries Service) with expertise in sea turtle biology and conservation.

About Public Participation

The public will be reviewing and providing comments on the draft recovery plan concurrent with the peer review process.  Public review and receipt of comments will take place from March 2008 until May 2008 via a notice of availability published in the Federal Register.  The public can provide written comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, regular mail, and facsimile.

Contact:  Sandy MacPherson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville Ecological Services Office, at 904-232-2580 (ext. 110).