Research Document - 2012/063
Assessment of Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Fisheries and Non-Fisheries Related Interactions in Atlantic Canadian Waters
By R. O'Boyle
Abstract
In support of a five-year review of the Atlantic Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) Recovery Strategy, this study evaluated the threats posed by nine fisheries (Whelk pot, large pelagic longline, Snow Crab trap, groundfish gillnet, Herring gillnet, groundfish longline, Lobster trap, Atlantic Halibut longline and Turbot gillnet) and three non-fisheries (maritime transport, marine debris and seismic surveys) activities. The study benefited from recent advancements in knowledge and understanding of Leatherback Turtle biology and distribution. The observational dataset available on Leatherback encounters off Atlantic Canada consists of a wide array of collection activities, some of which have highly standardized sampling protocols, while others are based on opportunistic reporting. In many cases, sampling intensity was relatively low. These issues, combined with the low observation rate of Leatherbacks in the zone, prevented estimation of cumulative threat. It was only possible to rank threats within fisheries and non-fisheries based on the scale of the threat, evidence of encounters and the temporal trend of the threat. Further observations will be required to further elucidate the relative and cumulative impacts of human activities on Leatherback Turtles of Canada’s east coast.
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