California’s Endangered Sea TurtleCalifornia’s Endangered Sea TurtlePacific leatherback Pacific leatherback

Our coast contains one of the most important feeding areas in the entire world for Our coast contains one of the most important feeding areas in the entire world for the Pacific leatherback and is a significant migratory corridor for the Pacific the Pacific leatherback and is a significant migratory corridor for the Pacific

loggerhead. loggerhead.

August – DecemberSwim 6,000 miles from Indonesia to California, eat hundreds of pounds of jellyfish daily, require safe passage, clean water, and food safe from pollution.

Photos by Doug Perrine ©Seapics.com

Leatherback TracksLeatherback Tracks

Critical Habitat Principle ElementsCritical Habitat Principle ElementsMigration & ForagingMigration & Foraging

Status:

Critically Endangered

95% population decline 1980-present

Commercial fishing, poaching, plastics, and pollution are biggest threats

Current Proposal:

Holes within migration routes

Commercial fishing not yet addressed as impacting habitat

Leatherback Conservation Area not represented

State Legislature & OPCState Legislature & OPCSupport Sea Turtle ProtectionsSupport Sea Turtle Protections

State AJR 62, July, 2008That the Legislature of the State of California acknowledges the severe decline of Pacific leatherback and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtle populations and supports efforts to recover and preserve these populations;

OPC Resolution, Nov 20, 2008 RESOLVES to acknowledge the severe decline of Pacific leatherback and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtle populations and, support efforts to recover and preserve these populations;

Letters of Support received fromJared Huffman, Chair of California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and WildlifeMark Leno, California State Senate Pedro Nava, California State Assembly

Ocean Protection CouncilOcean Protection CouncilHelp Support Sea Turtle ProtectionsHelp Support Sea Turtle Protections

Action: Letter supporting Improved Critical Habitat, April 23

Chris Pincetich, Ph.D., Campaign Leader, Chris@tirn.net, Ext. 102 Teri Shore, Program Director, tshore@tirn.net415-663-8590, ext. 104

Leatherbacks caught in Leatherbacks caught in longlines as bycatchlonglines as bycatch