CONSERVATION OF THE JAPANESE-NESTING LOGGERHEAD TURTLE: MORTALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION OUTREACH AT THE BCS MEXICO JUVENILE FORAGING AREA

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE BAJA CALIFORNIA TO PROTECT A CRITICAL FORAGING LOGGERHEAD POPULATION WHICH ORIGINATES FROM THE JAPANESE LOGGERHEAD NESTING POPULATION. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 1.

BEACH SURVEYS ALONG 43 KM OF BAJA MEXICO WHICH SERVES AS AN INDEX SITE TO MONITOR ACCIDENTAL BYCATCH MORTALITY IN FISHERIES OPERATING IN THE PACIFIC BAJA ON THIS CRITICAL LOGGERHEAD FORAGING GROUNDS AND 2. CONDUCTS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION WITH LOCAL FISHER COMMUNITIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

THE DATA FROM THESE SURVEYS ARE CRITICAL TO INFORMING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS OF BAJA FISHERIES THAT INTERACT WITH LOGGERHEADS ON THE FORAGING GROUNDS. THE U.S.

MEXICO JAPAN ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TOGETHER ON A RECOVERY PLAN FOR THIS POPULATION AND THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR OVERALL CONSERVATION OF THIS POPULATION.