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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/27141| Title: | Assessment of sea turtle abundance in six south Atlantic U.S. channels |
| Authors: | Dickerson, Dena D. Reine, Kevin J. Nelson, David A. (David Arthur), 1955- Dickerson, Charles. |
| Keywords: | Sea turtles--Protection Dredging--Environmental aspects Endangered species--Protection |
| Publisher: | Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. |
| Series/Report no.: | Miscellaneous Paper (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.) ; EL-95-5 |
| Abstract: | Many channels along the southeastern United States coast are inhabited for at least part of the year by sea turtles. Five species of sea turtles occurring in these channels are classified as either federally threatened or endangered. All are potentially affected by hopper dredging activities. Mortalities due to entrainment during hopper dredging operations have been documented for loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) sea turtles since 1980. Dredging-related sea turtle mortalities have been dramatically reduced as a result of modifications in monitoring protocol, operational procedures, and management practices. However, to develop long-term management plans and conservation strategies, more complete life history and behavioral information is needed. Trawling survey methods were used to provide information on the spatial and temporal abundances of sea turtles in six South Atlantic channels. The channels surveyed included: Canaveral Harbor entrance channel, Florida; Fernandina Harbor St. Marys River entrance channel (Kings Bay), Florida; Brunswick Harbor ocean bar channel, Georgia; Savannah Harbor ocean bar channel, Georgia; Charleston Harbor entrance channel, South Carolina; and Morehead City Harbor entrance channel, North Carolina. The primary objective was to survey the channels for sea turtle relative abundance and determine periods of time when turtles are absent or least abundant. This would help establish valid time periods for protective restrictions on hopper dredging to minimize or eliminate sea turtle mortalities due to dredging activities. |
| Description: | Miscellaneous Paper |
| Gov't Doc #: | Miscellaneous Paper EL-95-5 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/27141 |
| Size: | 139 pages/20.42 Mb |
| Types of Materials: | PDF/A |
| Appears in Collections: | Miscellaneous Paper |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP EL-95-5.pdf | 20.92 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |