Decline of the Sea Turtles : Causes and Prevention.

This book explores in detail threats to the world's sea turtle population to provide sound, scientific conclusions on which dangers are greatest and how they can be addressed most effectively. Offering a fascinating and informative overview of five sea turtle species, the volume discusses sea turtles'feeding habits, preferred nesting areas, and migration routes; examines their status in U.S. waters; and cites examples of conservation measures under way and under consideration. Decline of the Sea Turtles Copyright Preface Contents Executive Summary LIFE HISTORIES OF SEA TURTLES SEA TURTLE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE SEA TURTLE POPULATION TRENDS NATURAL MORTALITY OF SEA TURTLES AND REPRODUCTIVE VALUE OF LIFE STAGES SEA TURTLE MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN ACTIVITIES The Shrimp Fishery Other Fisheries Dredging Boat Collisions Oil Platforms Plastics and Debris SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION Eggs, Hatchlings, and Nesting Females Nesting Habitat Headstarting Captive Breeding Artificial Imprinting Juveniles, Subadults, and Breeders. Prohibition of Intentional HarvestReduction of Unintentional Bycatch Dredging Collisions with Boats Oil-Rig Removal Power Plants Plastics and Debris Education Research CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusions Recommendations 1 Introduction 2 Biology KEMP'S RIDLEY General Description Population Distribution and Habitats Foraging Areas Nesting Areas Food Habits Reproduction and Growth Major Threats to Survival LOGGERHEAD General Description Population Distribution and Habitats Foraging Areas Nesting Areas Food Habits Reproduction and Growth. Major Threats to SurvivalGREEN TURTLE General Description Population Distribution and Habitats Foraging Areas Nesting Areas Food Habits Reproduction and Growth Major Threats to Survival HAWKSBILL General Description Population Distribution and Habitats Foraging Areas Nesting Areas Food Habits Reproduction and Growth Major Threats to Survival LEATHERBACK General Description Population Distribution and Habitats Foraging Areas Nesting Areas Food Habits Reproduction and Growth Major Threats to Survival OLIVE RIDLEY 3 Population Trends KEMP'S RIDLEY LOGGERHEAD. GREEN TURTLEHAWKSBILL LEATHERBACK SUMMARY 4 Distribution of Sea Turtles in U.S. Waters SOURCES OF INFORMATION Nesting Distribution Pelagic Aerial Surveys Sea Turtle Strandings DISTRIBUTION Nesting Aerial Surveys Strandings ONSHORE, OFFSHORE, AND DEPTH DISTRIBUTION SUMMARY 5 Natural Mortality and Critical Life Stages BIOTIC SOURCES OF MORTALITY Predation Eggs and Hatchlings on the Beach Hatchlings as They Leave the Beach Larger Juveniles and Adults in the Water Nesting Females on the Beach Diseases and Parasites Other Nesting Turtles Vegetation. ABIOTIC SOURCES OF MORTALITYErosion, Accretion, and Tidal Inundation Heavy Rains Thermal Stress QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF NATURAL MORTALITY SUMMARY 6 Sea Turtle Mortality Associated with Human Activities MORTALITY OF SEA TURTLE EGGS AND HATCHLINGS Beach Erosion and Accretion Beach Armoring Beach Nourishment Artificial Lighting Beach Cleaning Increased Human Presence Recreational Beach Equipment Beach Vehicles Exotic Dune and Beach Vegetation MORTALITY OF SEA TURTLE JUVENILES AND ADULTS Shrimp Fishing Description of the Fishery Distribution and Intensity of the Fishery.