Terms of Reference

Assessment of Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Fishery and Non-fishery Interactions in Atlantic Canadian Waters

Zonal Science Response Process – Maritimes, Gulf, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec Regions

March 29, 2018
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003 and a recovery strategy for the species in Atlantic Canadian waters was published in 2007 (Atlantic Leatherback Turtle Recovery Team 2006). An objective of the recovery strategy is to identify and understand anthropogenic threats to Leatherback Sea Turtles in Canadian waters. This includes synthesizing and evaluating existing data on commercial fishing and other human activities that may impact survival and recovery. The recovery strategy commits to undertaking a scientific review of the sources and rates of human-induced mortality every five years. The previous review was held in 2012 (DFO 2012).

The information generated will be used by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to inform continued efforts to protect and recover the Leatherback Sea Turtle.

Objective

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

This assessment aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the current sources of fisheries interactions with Leatherback Sea Turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters? For each source, describe the level of interaction to the extent possible.
2. What are the current sources of non-fisheries interactions with Leatherback Sea Turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters? For each source, describe the level of interaction to the extent possible.

Expected Publications

• Special Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management
• DFO Resource Management
• US National Marine Fisheries Service
• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
• Canadian Sea Turtle Network
• Fishing industry

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.

DFO. 2012. Assessment of Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Fishery and Non-fishery Interactions in Atlantic Canadian Waters.  DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/041.