Terms of Reference

Review of Important Habitat for Leatherback Turtle in Atlantic Canadian Waters

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

January 22, 2019
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Jennifer Ford

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 protect habitat of leatherback turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters”. This Science Response will be used to identify critical habitat for the species as required by SARA.

In 2012, important habitat was identified for Leatherback Sea Turtles following the Zonal Science Advisory Process on Using Satellite Tracking Data to Define Important Habitat for Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (DFO 2012). The data analyzed during that process were collected over the period 1999-2009. Since then, the sample size has grown (from 65 tagged individuals to 106 tagged individuals) and data analysis methodologies have evolved. The Species at Risk Management Division has requested that this information be reviewed to update or confirm the important habitat areas identified in 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

This assessment aims to answer the following question:

1. Using the best available data and analysis methods, what are the areas of important habitat for Leatherback Sea Turtles in Atlantic Canadian waters?

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Ecosystem Management
• DFO Resource Management
• Other Government Departments and Agencies
• Environmental Non-Government Organizations
• Academic Scientists

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. Using Satellite Tracking Data to Define Important Habitat for Leatherback Turtles in Atlantic Canada. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/036.