A first-of-its-kind guidance document to standardize in-water sea turtle data collection in US Gulf of Mexico waters

Location
Gulf of Mexico, United States
Offices
Client
  • NOAA
Partners
  • National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Image Credit
United States Geological Survey
News
Gulf of Mexico sea turtles will get boost as Stantec supports Deepwater Horizon Trustees

In-Water Sea Turtle Data Collection – A Gulf-wide Comprehensive Plan

Five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles live in the Gulf of Mexico, and scientists say there are significant gaps in knowledge about their status and population dynamics. Recovery efforts are vital now more than ever as these threatened species are vulnerable to exploitation, habitat alteration, pollution, and bycatch.

Using funding from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we supported the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service in developing the first comprehensive, Gulf-wide, sea-turtle in-water data collection plan. To develop a robust strategy to fill information gaps and help meet recovery objectives, we supported the project steering committee and NOAA managers by providing sea-turtle technical expertise, project management guidance, meeting facilitation and consensus building, and assistance in drafting the data-collection strategy.

Consensus building was key. We supported the project steering committee and working groups during planning by engaging known sea turtle experts. The result? A statistically sound data collection framework that guides future projects in support of sea turtle recovery efforts and Gulf-wide population monitoring. 

Location
Gulf of Mexico, United States
Offices
Client
  • NOAA
Partners
  • National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Image Credit
United States Geological Survey
News
Gulf of Mexico sea turtles will get boost as Stantec supports Deepwater Horizon Trustees

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