Terms of Reference

Leatherback sea turtle Part 2: Assessment of Fisheries and Non-Fisheries Related Interactions in Atlantic Canadian Waters

Zonal Peer Review – Maritimes, Gulf, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec

1-2 March 2012
Halifax, NS

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was designated as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in April 1981 and reassessed as Endangered in May 2001.  A Recovery Strategy for the Leatherback Sea Turtle in Atlantic Canada was published in February 2007.  The Species at Risk Act (SARA) requires that the competent minister report on the implementation of the Recovery Strategy and progress toward meeting its objectives within five years of when it is included in the public registry.  This deadline for review is February 2012. An Action Plan for Leatherback Sea Turtles in Atlantic Canada is also being developed at this time.

The information generated in this advisory process will be used by the Maritimes Species at Risk Office in the 5 year review of the Leatherback Sea Turtle Recovery Strategy, and in the finalisation of the Action Plan for Leatherback Sea Turtles.

Objective

The objective of this meeting is to assess the levels of Leatherback Turtle interactions with fisheries in Atlantic Canadian waters, as well as assess other non-fisheries related interactions.

This assessment aims to answer the following questions:

• What are the current sources of interactions with fisheries for Leatherback Turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters?
  • What level of mortality is caused by each identified source; and
  • Are these levels increasing or decreasing? 
    
    
• What are the current sources of other, non-fisheries related interactions,
  • What level of mortality is caused by each source; and
  • Are these levels increasing or decreasing?

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Research Document
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management
• DFO Fisheries Management
• Provincial government representatives
• Industry representatives
• Non-governmental organizations
• Aboriginal groups
• Academics
• International experts

References

Atlantic Leatherback Turtle Recovery Team, 2006. Recovery Strategy for Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in Atlantic Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa: vi + 45 pp.

COSEWIC, 2001. COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 25 pp.

DFO, 2004. Allowable Harm Assessment for Leatherback Turtle in Atlantic Canadian Waters. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Stock Status Rep. 2004/035.