Terms of Reference

Review of the model and information needed to identify Critical Habitat for Leatherback Turtle – Pacific Population

Pacific Regional Science Advisory Process

December 5-6, 2012
Nanaimo BC

Chairperson: Sean MacConnachie

Context

Leatherback turtle – Pacific population (Dermochelys coriacea) was listed in 2003 as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), and a recovery strategy for the species was completed in 2006 (Pacific Leatherback Turtle Recovery Team 2006). A recovery strategy or action plan must identify an endangered species’ critical habitat, or “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed species and that is identified as the species critical habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species”. Under SARA s41(1)(c) a species’ critical habitat must be identified to the extent possible, based on the best available information.

DFO SARA Management Program has requested science advice in support of the identification of critical habitat and development of the Action Plan for the Leatherback turtle under SARA.  A technical workshop was held in November 2011 to provide direction to the work necessary to complete this request. Given the paucity of observational data for this species in Pacific waters, an area of occupancy approach to recommending critical habitat has been deemed to be impractical. The authors will explore spatial modeling techniques using biological, physical and temporal variables to recommend critical habitat.

Objectives

The following working paper will be reviewed and provide the basis for discussion and advice:

Gregr E, Gryber R, James MC, Thornton SJ. Recommendations for the identification of critical habitat for the Leatherback Turtle – Pacific population (Dermochelys coriacea). CSAP Working Paper 2012/P67

To provide the best available information regarding the geospatial extent and the biophysical attributes, features and functions of the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of Leatherback Turtle in Canadian Pacific waters.

Expected publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
• CSAS Research Document (1)
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management Branch
• DFO Species at Risk
• DFO Policy and Economics
• NOAA
• Non-governmental organizations
• Other Stakeholders

References Cited

Pacific Leatherback Turtle Recovery Team. 2006. Recovery Strategy for Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in Pacific Canadian Waters. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Vancouver, v + 41 pp.