Population ecology and rehabilitation of incidentally captured kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in the Mississippi sound, USA
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Published source details
Coleman A.T., Pulis E.E., Pitchford J.L., Crocker K., Heaton A.J., Carron A.M., Hatchett W., Shannon D., Austin F., Dalton M., Clemons-Chevis C.L. & Solangi M. (2016) Population ecology and rehabilitation of incidentally captured kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in the Mississippi sound, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 11, 253-264.
Published source details Coleman A.T., Pulis E.E., Pitchford J.L., Crocker K., Heaton A.J., Carron A.M., Hatchett W., Shannon D., Austin F., Dalton M., Clemons-Chevis C.L. & Solangi M. (2016) Population ecology and rehabilitation of incidentally captured kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in the Mississippi sound, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 11, 253-264.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Sea turtles Action Link |
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Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Sea turtles
A study in 2010–2014 in a coastal reef estuary in Mississippi, USA (Coleman et al. 2016) found that most sea turtles accidentally caught in fishing gear were able to be released after rehabilitation, but a fifth of those animals were recaptured in fishing gear. In total, 96% of rescued sea turtles were rehabilitated and released (744 of 775 individuals). However, in the third and fourth years after the release programme began, 161 turtles were recaptured incidentally in a recreational fishery. Twenty-nine turtles were recaptured three times and two turtles were recaptured six times. Time between original release and recapture ranged from 12–1,121 days and 71% of recaptures occurred within the vicinity of the release location. In total, 775 rescued live sea turtles were brought to a rehabilitation facility in 2010–2014. The majority were incidentally caught in a recreational hook and line fishery (732 individuals) and the remainder were either caught in trawl or dredge equipment or suffering from boat strikes or live strandings. Rehabilitated turtles were released after medical clearance. Turtles were individually marked, which allowed recaptures to be monitored opportunistically as they occurred. Sea turtles caught were kemp’s ridley Lepidochelys kempii (98%), loggerhead Caretta caretta (1%) or green sea turtles Chelonia mydas (1%).
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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