[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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                         MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SEA TURTLES

                            AND MARINE MAMMALS IN VIRGINIA






















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                      MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SEA TURTLES
                               AND MARINE MAMMALS
                                     IN VIRGUWA





                                      PREPARED BY:


              THE VIRGINIA SEA TURTLE/MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION TEAM

     @0                             as part of a grant to
     _7

                      The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  I.CY)
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                            The Virginia Institute of Marine Science









                         This project was funded by a grant/cooperative agreement from the
                         National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The views expressed
                         herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
                 <*      NOAA or any sub-agencies.








             PREFACE


             This management plan is intended to serve as a guide that delineates and schedules those actions
             believed necessary to manage for sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia. It is recognized
             that this plan is an important first step in a long-term process. Some of the tasks listed are
             already underway and their inclusion represents an awareness of their importance as well as
             recognition of progess towards that goal. The plan represents a cooperative private/public effort
             to identify, prioritize, and implement those steps necessary to conserve this important assem-
             blage of species in Virginia. The team members were:

                     David Bower, Virginia Marine Resources Commission
                     Colleen Coogan, National Marine Fisheries Service
                     Laurie Halpern,. Center for Marine Conservation
                     William Hester, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                     Roy Insley, Virginia Marine Resources Commission
                     Sherman Jones III, Christopher Newport University
                     John Keinath, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
                     Laura McKay, Department of Environmental Quality
                     William McLellan, James Madison University
                     James Mead, Nati. Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
                     Richard Muller, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
                     Jack Musick, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
                     Kathy O'Hara, Center for Marine Conservation
                     Anne Pabst, James Madison University
                     Mike Payne, National Marine Fisheries Service
                     Mike Pinder, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
                     Charles Potter, Natural Museum of Natural History
                     Mark Swingle, Virginia Marine Science Museum
                     Karen Terwilliger, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisherie's
                     Michael Vaughn, Virginia Polytechnic and State University
                     Tom Wilcox, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
                     Nina Young, Center for Marine Conservation



             This document should be cited as follows:
                     Terwilliger, K. and J. A. Musick (co-chairs), Virginia Sea Turtle and Marine
                     Mammal Conservation Team. 1995. Management Plan for Sea Turtles and
                     Marine Mammals in Virginia, Final Report to the National Oceanic and
                     Atmospheric Administration. 56 pp.






            ITABLE OF CONTENTS



             1.    EXECUTIVE SUNRvLkRY       ..........................


             II.   INTRODUCTION       ........  I ............................................      3


                          POPULATION FACTORS AFFECTING TBESE SPECIES IN VIRGINIA  ..............  16


                          SYNOPSIS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS IN VIRGINIA  ............ 19


                          SYNOPSIS OF EXISTING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA   ................. 22


                          SYNOPSIS OF CURRENT PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION EFFORTS      ...... 24


             11L   STEPDOWN OUTLINE         ...............................................       27


             IV.   STEPDOWN OUTLINE NARRATIVE             ...................................     33 5


             V.    LITERATURE CITED        ................................................       47


             VI.   EMPLEMENTATION SCIHEDULE           ......................................      56


             VII.  APPENDICES      .......................................................        57






              JEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

                     Five species of sea turtles (the loggerhead, leatherback, Atlantic green, Atlantic
              hawksbill, and Kemp's ridley ) and 30 species of marine mammals (harbor porpoise, Atlantic
              bottlenose dolphin, striped dolphin, saddleback dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, Atlantic white-
              sided dolphin, Risso's dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, long-finned pilot
              whale, pygmy sperm whale, dwarf sperm whale, sperm whale, fin whale, minke whale,
              humpback whale, northern right whale, goosebeaked whale, dense-beaked whale, Antillean
              beaked whale, Gervais' beaked whale, true's beaked whale, blue whale, sei whale, Bryde's whale,
              West Indian manatee, gray seal, harbor seal, harp seal, and hooded seal) have been recorded as
              strandings or live observations in Virginia. Of these 35 species, all five sea turtles and 8 of the
              marine mammals are listed or proposed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered
              Species Act and one additional marine mammal is listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal
              -Protection Act. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and our coast therefore play a
              significant though seasonal role in contributing to the global recovery of these imperiled species.
              This plan focuses on the most commonly occurring ten species (four sea turtles and six marine
              mammals) but encompasses all species since they share common life history or habitat needs
              while in Virginia waters.

                     Two natural resource agencies in Virginia regulate conservation and management of
              these species: the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Department of
              Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). VMRC is charged (ï¿½28.2-101) with the conservation of
              marine life, and VDGIF is charged with implementation of the ESA (ï¿½29.563 )) and management
              of all wildlife and inland fish (ï¿½29.1-109). A third state institution, the Virginia Institute of
              Marine Science (VIMS), has conservation responsibilities as well. The federal Endangered
              Species Act is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through VDGIF,
              and the Marine Mammal Protection Act by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMF S) at the
              federal level; therefore both USFWS and NMFS share conservation authority. In all, five
              agencies share responsibility for the protection and management of sea turtles and marine
              mammals in Virginia.

                     A number of other public and private entities have ongoing conservation programs
              including Universities conducting research, and private organizations conducting research,
              education and stranding network activities. Volunteer stranding networks have been organized
              for both sea turtles and marine mammals. The combined efforts of these parties have provided
              the Commonwealth with a foundation for responsible stewardship of this diverse and fragile

              resource.


                     This management plan seeks to provide a balanced and comprehensive approach to the
              conservation of these unique animals. Even though their needs vary from species to species, they
              share many commonalities which can be approached in a more efficient and complete manner by
              addressing the systems upon which they all depend. The needs of many of these species are

                                                                                      Conseivation Plan/ Page I









              addressed in their individual recovery or conservation plans developed through the Endangered
              Species Act or the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but those plans do not address the specific
              needs of these species while utilizing Virginia waters. By focusing on their commonalities and
              utilization of similar habitats which Virginia provides them year round, more effective and
              comprehensive management will result.

                     This plan developed from 'a need to better define, coordinate, and direct the multiple
              efforts and programs of the Commonwealth. Its goal is to enhance the survival and recovery of
              marine mammals and sea turtles utilizing Virginia waters, thereby contributing to their global
              recovery.


              This will be accomplished through these four objectives:

              I .    Protect, manage, and enhance sea turtle and marine mammal populations by assessing
                     population status and trends as well as the life history needs of these species utilizing
                     Virginia waters.

              2.     Protect, manage, and enhance the habitats of sea turtles and marine mammals by
                     identifying, documenting, and then minimizing impacts to the habitats and populations.

              3.     Identify and coordinate existing roles, responsibilities, and activities of the various
                     parties and promote improved coordination.

              4.     Improve and promote education and public participation.

              The intent and desire of all partners in this plan is to provide the Commonwealth with an
              effective and balanced conservation program for sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia.





















                                                                                        Conservation Plan/ Page 2






             INTRODUCTION


             SEA TURTLES AND MARINE MAMMALS IN VIRGINIA WATERS



                                                      SEA TURTLES


                    Five species of sea turtles utilize the Chesapeake Bay and our coastal waters. One
             species, the Atlantic hawksbill, has recently been recorded only once in Virginia. Accounts for
             the four more regularly occurring species follow.

             Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus):

                    Descriptio -. Loggerheads mature at about 80 cm carapace length and 140 kg weight
             (Ernst and Barbour, 1972), but may reach up to 270 kg (Pritchard, 1979). In Virginia's waters,
             loggerhead carapace lengths range from 20 to over 120 cm (curved carapace length, notch to
             notch) and, except for hatchlings which may be found on the Atlantic coast during hatching
             season (August-October), weigh 20 to 140 kg (Lutcavage, 1981; Lutcavage and Musick, 1985).
             The dorsum of the carapace (upper shell) and appendages is mahogany to reddish brown, usually
             with encrusting barnacles and other organisms, and the plastron (lower shell) and venter
             (underside) of the appendages are crearn-yellow (Musick, 1988). Four scutes (plates) occur
             between the eyes and there are five lateral carapacial scutes (pleurals) on each side. The cervical
             scute touches the first pleural scute on each side. Loggerheads usually have three bridge scutes
             (inframarginals: scutes which connect the carapace to the plastron) (Carr, 1952; Musick, 1988).

                    Loggerheads are distinguished from ridleys and green sea turtles by coloration, carapace
             shape, and scutation. The loggerhead is the only reddish brown sea turtle in our waters (Ernst
             and Barbour, 1972), green turtles being dark green or brown, and ridleys grey to green on the
             dorsal surfaces. The ventral surface of loggerheads is cream-yellow, while other species are
             white. Loggerheads, like ridleys, have four prefrontal and five lateral scutes, while greens have
             two prefrontal and four lateral scutes. Loggerheads are distinguished from ridleys by coloration
             and inframarginal scute number and morphology: Loggerheads usually have three non-pored
             bridge scutes, whereas ridleys have four pored bridge scutes.

                    Distribution: Loggerhead sea turtles are found worldwide in tropical and temperate
             marine and estuarine waters. In the western Atlantic, they are found from Argentina north to
             Nova Scotia (Carr, 1952). Loggerheads, the most abundant sea turtle in the waters of Virginia,
             are found in Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore south, in the estuarine parts of all the major rivers,
             along Virginia's entire Atlantic Coast, and into the channels and lagoons between and landward
             of the barrier islands (Brady, 1925; Fowler, 1925; Lutcavage, 1981; Lutcavage and Musick,


                                                                                      Conservation Plan I Page 3









                1985; Keinath et al., 1987; Byles,    1988). Between 1979 and 1989 more than 1000 dead and 250
                live loggerheads have been recorded from the waters of Virginia and Maryland, from Baltimore
                south and along Virginia's entire seaboard (Keinath et al., 1987). Nesting females utilize the
                Atlantic beaches.


                        Habitat: Hatchling loggerheads inhabit Sargassum driftlines in major oceanic currents,
                such as the North Atlantic Gyre (Carr, 1987a). Juvenile loggerheads are ubiquitous in ternp           erate
                waters, occurring from far offshore into estuaries and rivers (Carr@ 1952; Pritchard, 1979;
                Keinath et al., 1987; Musick, 1988). In Chesapeake Bay, loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys
                effectively partition both depth and food habitat between themselves - loggerheads reside in
                deeper channels, usually at river mouths or in the open Bay (Keinath et al., 1987- Byles, 1988.
                Musick, 1988) while Kemp's ridleys are found in the shallows (Lutcavage and Musick, 1985.-
                Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al., 1987; Byles, 1988). Loggerheads are normally found in
                Virginia's waters from May through November (Bellmund et al., 1987).

                        Life HistoEy: Loggerhead nesting is described as "antitropical" (adjacent to the tropics-,
                Pritchard, 1979). Nesting normally occurs in the United States from Florida to Virginia Beach,
                Virginia, with records as far north as New Jersey (Pritchard, 1979; Brandner, 1983, Keinath et
                al., 1991 a). Up to nine nests per year on the Atlantic Coast of Virginia have been reported, but
                normally only two or three per year are found (Crouse et al., 1987; Bellmund et al., 1987;
                Musick, 1988). Loggerhead nests are most commonly reported from Virginia Beach, but nests,
                have been reported from the eastern shore of Virginia. Once loggerheads hatch, they swim away
                from land for two to three days in what has been termed the "swimming frenzy." The only
                known neonate habitat in the north Atlantic is the Gulf Stream and its associated currents where
                the turtles find food and refuge within floating mats of Sargassum (Caldwell, 1968; Carr, 1986,
                1987a). The juveniles make one or more trips around the north Atlantic gyre, until they reach
                lengths of approximately 40 cm (Carr, 1986), after which they depart from their pelagic
                existence and enter inshore habitats, especially estuaries, during summer months. Klinger
                (1988) estimated that loggerheads found in Chesapeake Bay are 7 to 15 years old, and that.
                individuals reach sexual maturity between 20 and 30 years of age.

                        Some loggerheads travel from south of Cape Hatteras to Chesapeake Bay during April
                and May, where they establish foraging areas in deeper channels (Keinath et al., 1987; Byles,
                1988). While in Chesapeake Bay, loggerheads drift passively with the tides within a relatively
                restricted range (Byles, 1988), foraging on their preferred prey, horseshoe crabs (Limuhis
                polyphemus) (Lutcavage, 1981; Lutcavage and Musick, 1985; Keinath et al., 1987).

                        Up to 9,000 loggerheads may inhabit the Bay during summer (Byles, 1988). The turtles
                depart the Bay in the fall with the onset of cold weather, usually during October and November,
                and travel south along the coast to south of Cape Hatteras (Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al.,
                1987). After passing Cape Hatteras, satellite telemetry suggests some loggerheads may enter the
                warm Gulf Stream and travel north during the cold months (Byles, 1988; Keinath et al., 1989);
                others may overwinter off Florida. Some may spend the winter off North Carolina at the edge of


                                                                                                  Conservation Plan/ Page 4









              the Gulf Stream (Keinath, 1993).

                      It was thought that juvenile turtles left estuarine habitats for coastal habitats at sexual
              maturity (Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al., 1987), but recent evidence suggests that some
              adults regularly utilize habitats in Chesapeake Bay (Keinath and Musick, in press)

                      Status: The loggerhead is the most common sea turtle in Virginia and the only known
              sea turtle to nest here. It is a seasonal visitor to the Chesapeake Bay and its estuarine tributaries
              during warmer months. It is listed as threatened both in Virginia and federally. The loggerhead
              was listed as threatened in 1978 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered
              Species Act of 19733 (CFR, 1987). This status was adopted by the Virginia Department of Game
              and Inland Fisheries in 1987. Because of the importance of juvenile turtles to potential recovery
              of the population, the advisory taxonomic committee recommended that the status should be
              raised-from threatened to endangered in Virginia, with commensurate increase in penalties for
              violating endangered species laws.


              Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Lepidochelys kempii (Garman)

                      Description: Kemp's ridley sea turtles mature at about 65 cm carapace length and weigh
              up to 5 0 kg (Pritchard, 1979), but those found in Virginia's waters are juveniles of 20 to 5 8 cm
              carapace length and weigh less than 20 kg (Lutcavage and Musick, 1985; Barnard et al., 1989).
              The dorsurn of the carapace and appendages is charcoal grey to drab olive green, and the
              plastron and lower surfaces of appendages are white. In older specimens the white coloration
              extends onto dorsal areas (Musick, 1988). Four prefrontal scutes occur on the head and there are
              five pleural scutes. The cervical scute touches the first pleural scute on each side. Ridleys have
              four inframarginals, each with a pore posteriorly (Carr, 1952; Musick, 1988). See the logger-
              head account for characteristics which distinguish ridleys from other species of sea turtles.

                      Grant (1946, in Carr, 1952) described an unusual method to identify ridleys from other
              species of sea turtle. A rap with the knuckles on the carapace of a ridley sounds hollow, like a
              dead log, while other species sound like "living things." This is true of Chesapeake Bay
              specimens (JA. Keinath, pers. obs.)

                      Distribution: Kemp's ridley sea turtles are known from the Gulf of Mexico (but not the
              Caribbean), north along the east coast of the United States (but not in the Bahamas) to Massa-
              chusetts and eastward to Bermuda, the Azores, and the Atlantic Coast of Europe (Carr, 1952;
              Ernst and Barbour, 1972). Kemp's ridley, found along the Atlantic Coast of Virginia and
              throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay (Hardy, 1962; Keinath et al., 1987; Barnard et al., 1989,
              Keinath et al., 1991b) is the second most abundant sea turtle in Virginia (Keinath et al., 1987;
              Barnard et al., 1989). Over 60 dead and 35 live Kemp's ridleys from the Potomac River, the
              lower Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic coast of Virginia have been examined between 1979
              and 1989 (Barnard et al., 1989).


                                                                                              Conservation Plan IPage 5









                     Habitat: Hatchling Kemp's ri   dleys probably inhabit weedlines of offshore currents and
              later shift to a nearshore benthic existence with increasing age (Meylan, 1986; Phillips, 1989).
              In Chesapeake Bay, Kemp's ridleys are found in shallow, near-shore sea grass beds, especially
              where their preferred food, blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), are found (liellmund et al., 1987;
              Keinath et al., 1987; Byles, 1988). Reports from crab fishermen confirm this habitat preference.
              Live ridleys normally occur in Virginia's waters from May through November (Lutcavage and
              Musick, 1985; Barnard et al., 1989).

                     Life Histgry: Kemp's ridley has been the most mysterious of the sea turtles. The nesting
              grounds of this species were unknown to science until 1963 when Hildebrand found that a 10
              kilometer Rancho Nuevo beach was the only major nesting area known for Kemp's ridley,
              although sporadic nesting has occurred from Texas (Hildebrand, 1963; Carr, 1979, King et al.,
              1985) to the state of Veracruz, Mexico (Hildebrand, 1981; Ross et al., 1989; Ruiz, 1989).

                     Hatchlings probably adopt a pelagic existence in weedlines of major currents in the Gulf
              of Mexico and North Atlantic Ocean (Meylan, 1986; Ross et al., 1989). Recent data suggests
              that juvenile ridleys utilize northern estuaries (such as Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound)
              for summer foraging (Meylan, 1986; Keinath et al., 1987; Ross et al., 1989). Ridleys eat benthic
              invertebrates, primarily blue crabs; in Virginia's waters (Lutcavage, i 98 1 - Lutcavage and
              Musick, 1985; Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al., 1987). Musick (1988) estimated the
              Chesapeake Bay summer population to be "probably in the hundreds."

                     Status: Kemp's ridley is the most endangered sea turtle, yet it is the second most
              abundant sea turtle in Virginia's waters. There is one major nesting beach known worldwide and
              no nesting occurs in Virginia. Kemp's ridley was considered endangered by the Federal
              Government in 1970, and was listed as such in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Federal
              Register, 1987). This status was adopted by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
              Fisheries in 1987. Kemp's ridley sea turtle is in severe danger of extinction (Carr, 1977, Keinath
              et al., 199 1 e).  I ;


              Atlantic Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas mydas (Linnaeus)

                     Description: Mature green turtles have carapace lengths of about 100 cm and weights of
              150 kg (Pritchard, 1979) but weights up to 340 kg have been reported (Carr, 1952). Individuals,
              found in Virginia's waters have carapace lengths ranging from 20 to 50 cm and weigh less than
              20 kg (Barnard et al., 1989). The dorsum. of the carapace and appendages is dark green to
              brown, often with lines radiating from the posterior margin of each carapace scute. The plastron
              and venter of the appendages are cream-white. Yellow may occur at the interface between
             'dorsal and ventral coloration in some specimens. There are two prefrontal and four. lateral
              pleural scutes. The cervical scute does not touch the pleural scutes (Carr, 1952; Musick, 1989).
              See the loggerhead account for characteristics which distinguish greens from other species of sea
              turtles.


                                                                                          Conservation Plan I Page 6









                       Distribution: Green sea turtles range throughout the tropical oceans and estuaries. In the
               western Atlantic, they occur from Argentina north to New England (Carr, 1952). Although
               historically reported as abundant in Virginia's waters (Brady, 1925), only two live individuals
               have been reported between 1979 and 1989, one from the York River and one from the Potomac
               River. However, six dead individuals have been found in Virginia: three from the lower
               Chesapeake Bay, one from the Eastern Shore, and two from Virginia Beach. All specimens
               from Virginia were small (20 - 50 cm carapace length) juveniles (Keinath et al., 1987; Barnard
               et al., 1989).

                       Habitat- Hatchling green turtles take up a pelagic existence in Sargassum mats in major
               ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream (Carr, 1987a). Adult green turtles nest in the tropics as
               far north as Florida and can migrate over long distances and deep water to reach nesting sites.
               Non-migrating green turtles prefer sea grass fl 'ats (Carr, 1952) such as occur in shallow areas of
               Chesapeake Bay. Dead green turtles have been found in Virginia's waters between August and
               December, and live individuals were recorded between June and September (Barnard et al.,
               1989). All green turtles from Virginia were juveniles (Keinath et al., 1987; Barnard et al.,
               1989). It is not known if green turtles in Virginia's waters are vagrants or migrants, and little
               else is known of green turtle habits in Virginia.

                       Life Hia1gry: Green turtles nest on tropical beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
               Sea, as well as those of the Atlantic Coast of Florida (Carr, 1952, 1984; Ernst and Barbour,
               1972). Hatchlings take,refuge in weedlines in the open ocean (Carr, 1987a) and travel with the
               currents. Juvenile green turtles can be found in temperate areas, while adult green turtles, noted
               for long migrations and remarkable navigation abilities, are strictly tropical north to Florida
               (Carr, 1952, Keinath et al., 1991c). Adults tagged while nesting at Ascension Island have been
               recaptured along the South American coast more than 3000 kilometers away (Carr, 1984, King,
               198 1). Juveniles are reportedly omnivorous, and include invertebrates in their diet (Ernst and
               Barbour, 1972), whereas adults are herbivorous and feed primarily on vascular sea grasses (Carr,
               1952). Stomach contents of individuals stranded in Virginia included both eelgrass (Zostera)
               and macroalgae, especially the sea lettuce Ulva (Bellmund et al., 1987).

                       Status: Green sea turtles are extremely rare in Virginia along the Atlantic Coast. Green
               turtles were considered threatened throughout their range, but endangered at breeding colonies
               in Florida and on the Pacific coast of Mexico, by the Federal Government in 1970. They were
               listed as such in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (CFR, 1987). This status was adopted by
               the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1987.

                       Remarks: The green turtle's common name is derived from the color of the fat inside the
               plastron, called calipee, not from external coloration. Calipee is the principal ingredient in clear
               turtle soup and it is the demand for calipee that is responsible for the extinction of many
               populations of green turtles.




                                                                                             Conservatio n Plan/ Page 7









             Leatherback Sea Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea Linnaeus,

                    Description: The leatherback is the world's largest sea turtle and is rarely confused with
             other sea creatures (Carr, 1952). A leatherback sea turtle which washed ashore in Wales, United
             Kingdom, in October 1988 weighed over 900 kg (Morgan, 1989). Typically, adults reach 155
             cm. carapace length and weigh 360 kg (Pritchard, 1979). Specimens from Virginia were usually
             140 to 270 kg (although the larger individuals were not weighed), with carapace lengths of 120
             to 180 cm (Barnard et al., 1989). The carapace and body have no horny scutes, but are covered
             with smooth, delicate skin that feels and looks rubbery or leathery (Carr, 1952; Musick, 1988).
             The carapace has seven longitudinal ridges, and the body is black on the dorsum, with white,
             yellow, or pink ventral areas (Carr, 1952). White or pink spots encroach onto the dorsal surface
             on some. individuals.


                    Distributio : Leatherback turtles, ranging throughout tropical and temperate oceans of
             the world, into boreal waters (Carr, 1952) are the most widely distributed of all reptiles
             (Pritchard, 1980). In the western Atlantic, leatherbacks occur from Cape Horn, Argentina (Carr,
             1952) north to Baffin Island, Canada (Shoop, 1980; see Keinath, 1986 for summary of northwest
             Atlantic sightings). Many leatherbacks are observed on routine aerial surveys conducted by the
             Virginia Institute of Marine Science Sea Turtle Research Project, especially off the mouth of
             Chesapeake Bay, where they presumably feed on the abundance of jellyfish washing out of the
             Bay (Keinath et al., 1987; Musick, 1988). Leatherbacks have been observed in the Chesapeake
             Bay (Hardy, 1969; Musick, 1988) as far north as Saxis, Tangier Island, the Patuxent River
             (Barnard et al., 1989), and Reedville (Reed,'1957). Live leatherbacks have commonly been
             reported in Chesapeake Bay by fishermen (Bellmund et al., 1987) and recreational boaters (J.A.
             Keinath, Pers. Obs.). A live leatherback was reported from Saxis, Virginia, in 1987 and another
             was captured in a pound net off the mouth of the York River in 1985 (Keinath and Musick,
             1991 d). Between 1979 and 1989, 25 dead leatherbacks have been reported from the Potomac
             River southward and along the Atlantic coast of Virginia (Barnard et al., 1989).

                    Habitat: Leatherbacks, the most pelagic of the sea turtles (Carr, 1952; Ernst and
             Barbour, 1972), forage in coastal and offshore waters but occasionally wander close to shore
             (Keinath, 1986) and into estuaries (Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al., 198.7; Musick, 1988)'
             Very little is known of hatchling or juvenile leatherback habits, but they are assumed to be
             offshore pelagic animals (Pritchard, 1979). Leatherbacks occur in Virginia's waters primarily
             during warmer months (May - September), but are observed earlier in the year (April; J.A.
             Keinath, pers. obs.) and linger longer into the autumn (to December) than do other species of sea
             turtles (Barnard et al., 1989).

                    Life Histofy- Although leatherbacks venture into boreal waters to feed, all nesting areas
             are tropical north to Florida (Pritchard, 1971, 1980). The leatherback is the only extant turtle
             known to be endothermic (able to keep its body temperature above the ambient temperature)
             (Mrosovsky and Pritchard, 197 1; Frair et al., 1972; Standora et al., 1984), a trait which permits
             its survival in cool waters. The western North Atlantic population nests primarily on Caribbean


                                                                                       Conseivation Plan I Page 8








             shores (Pritchard, 1980; Sternberg, 1981, Keinath et al., 1991d), with some nesting occurring on
             coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast of the southeast United States (Pritchard,
             1971, 1980). Juvenile leatherbacks 'are rarely observed, thus little is known of their habits
             (Pritchard, 1979). Leatherbacks feed on soft-bodied pelagic invertebrates (Brongersma, 1969,
             1972; Pritchard, 1971, 1980), primarily the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and moon
             jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) in Virginia's waters (Keinath et al., 1987; Musick, 1988; Keinath and
             Musick, in press).

                    Status: The leatherback sea turtle is rare throughout its range. The leatherback sea turtle
             was considered endangered by the United States Federal Government in 1970, and was listed as
             such in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (CFF, 1987). This status was adopted by the
             Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1987.

                    Remarks: While leatherbacks were once common visitors to Chesapeake Bay (Hardy,
             1969), very few are now sighted within the Bay. Although decreased water quality may be a
             factor, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel may also act as a physical deterrent to leatherbacks
             entering the Bay. A tremendous amount of jellyfish must be consumed to support leatherback
             activity and growth (Pritchard, 1979).




                                                  MARINE NUAINULS


                    There are 75 species of whales and dolphins (order Cetacea), and they are categorized
             into two groups, the baleen whales (suborder Mysticeti - the right, blue whale, fin, sei, minke,
             and humpback whales) and the toothed whales (suborder Odontoceti), which includes other
             whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Twenty five cetacean species have been recorded from Virginia
             waters. In addition, five other marine mammals - gray seals, harbor seals, harp seals, and
             hooded seals (order Pinnipedia) and the West Indian manatee (order Sirenia) wander into
             Virginia. The following species have been sighted in Virginia waters or stranded upon our
             beaches: harbor porpoise, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, striped dolphin, saddleback dolphin,
             Atlantic spotted dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, Risso's dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin,'
             short-finned pilot whale, long-finned pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, dwarf sperm whale,
             sperm whale, fin whale, Minke whale, humpback whale, northern right whale, goosebeaked
             whale, dense-beaked whale, Antillean beaked whale, Gervais'beaked whale, True's beaked
             whale, blue whale, Sei whale, Bryde's whale, West Indian manatee, gray seal, harbor seal, harp
             seal, and hooded seal.

             Following are descriptions of the six most commonly stranded or observed marine mammals
             known in Virginia's coastal waters. The remaining species are encompassed by this plan in that
             their life history or habitat needs overlap to some extent the six species addressed here.




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                Fin whale, Balaenopteraphysalus (Linnaeus)

                        Description: Adult fin whales reach a maximum length of 24 in. and may weigh up to 75
                tons (Jefferson et al., 1993). The lifespan of the fin whale is thought to be approximately 90
                years with sexual maturity attained at the age of 5-6 years (Blaycock, 1985; Bruenderman and
                Terwilliger, 1994). Fin whales have a streamline body shape. The coloration of the fin is
                distinctive with a black/dark grey dorsal body color and white ventral surface. The head and
                body color are asymmetrical; unique to the fin whale is a white upper lip and rearward white
                blaze on the right side. Fin whales are baleen whales with 260-480 baleen plates per side. The
                throat pleats are long, often reaching the navel, and number 50-100 per whale (Jefferson, et al.,
                1993). The blow of fin whales is a distinguishing characteristic, a thin blow of 4-6 in tall is the
                shape of an inverted cone (Blaycock, 1985; Bruenderman and Terwilliger, 1994).

                        Distribution: Fin whales inhabit oceanic waters. In the North Atlantic, fin whales
                summer from Cape Cod to the Arctic Circle and winter south to Florida and the greater Antilles
                (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983). Thus fin whale stocks migrate through Virginia waters
                annually from summer feeding grounds to winter breeding grounds and back again (Gambel,
                1985; Mitchell, 1975; Morgan et al, 1994; Sergeant, 1976; Jefferson et al., 1992).

                        Life Hia!Qfy: Fin whales travel in pods of two to seven individuals (Leatherwood and
                Reeves, 1983; Jefferson et al., 1993) and several pods can be seen gathered in one area. Fin
                whales mate and calve in the wintering grounds and females bear a single calf every 2 to 3 years
                (gestation periods lasting 12 months).

                        Fin whales are considered deep divers for the baleen whales, sometimes diving as deep as
                230 in (Blaylock, 1985). Moreover, fin whales are regarded as the fastest of the large whales,
                reaching speeds in excess of 32 km/hr (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983).

                        Fin whales feed on schooling fish (herring, capelin, etc.), squid, krill, and copepods.
                Depending on type of prey, fin whales employ a variety of methods for catching prey, from
                lunge feeding euphasids to engulf feeding a school of fish (Evans, 1990; Jefferson et al., 1993).
                The fifty-five foot male, struck by a ship and stranded at Virginia Beach has 140 kg. of
                menhaden in the stomach.


                        Status: Fin whale is listed as endangered in Virginia and federally. Fin whales are also
                protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.


                Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski)

                        Description: Females grow to 16 in while males grow to 15 in in length (Leatherwood
                and Reeves, 1983). Humpback whales are black to grey in color with white on the ventral
                surface of the body, flippers, and flukes. The coloration and patterns on the ventral fluke surface


                                                                                                Conservation Plan /Page 10







              can be used to distinguish individuals (Glockner and Venus, 1983; Katona and Whitehead, 198 1;
              Kaufman et al., 1987). The flippers are long (nearly one-third the body length) with rounded
              knobs along the leading edge (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983). The head is broad with knobby
              protuberance on the tip of the lower jaw and on top of the head.

                      Humpback whales are distinguished from other whales in the family Balaenopteridae by
              their long flippers, robust body with knobby protuberances, fewer throat grooves (14 to 3 5) and
              variable position of the dorsal fin. Furthermore, humpback whales have elaborate and repetitive
              vocalizations during courtship (Payne and McVay, 1971)

                      Distribution: Humpbacks occur in all oceans, spending the summer on feeding grounds
              in polar seas where the productivity is high, and the winter in tropical and subtropical coastal
              breeding grounds (Evans, 1987). In summer, the Gulf of Main humpback whale stock frequents
              the northeast coast north of 40 degrees N Latitude with the greatest concentrations found along
              100-meter depth contour of the Great South Channel, northwest of Georges Bank, all the way to
              Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey's Ledge, in the western Gulf of Maine (CETAP, 1982).

                      In winter the Gulf of Maine stock joins other feeding stocks on the breeding grounds
              around the Greater and Lesser Antilles, east coast of the Dominican Republic, Silver and
              Navidat Bank, and the eastern end of the Bahamian Archipelago (Mattila et al., 1989). It is
              during this migration that humpack whales are seen off the coast of Virginia in offshore waters,
              at the shelf edge, or beyond. Juvenile humpback whales have been observed in winter in
              increased numbers in recent years (Potter, 1991; Barco et al., 1993). Two years of observations
              beginning in 1991 have identified 18 different individuals with a significant number of animal
              returning to the same area each year (Swingle et al., 1993). The large number of forage fishes
              (menhaden, bay anchovy, herring etc.) probably provides ample food for the animal (Swingle, et
              al., 1993).

                      Life Hia!Qry: Most humpback whales appear to return to specific breeding grounds every
              year and occupy the breeding grounds between January and April. Songs produced by the male
              in the wintering ground appear to have courtship significance and sexually mature males
              'compete for access to females (Baker and Herman et al, 1983) Females normally give birth
              every two the three years, though some have been known to give birth in successive years
              (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983). The gestation period is one year, and the female gives birth to
              only one calf Most females with a calf are accompanied by a male escort in their winter range
              (Glockner and Venus, 1983; Glockner, 1983; Herman and Antinoja, 1977). The calf is nursed
              for ten months to a year. Some juveniles may overwinter in areas north of the breeding grounds
              and a number have returned to the same area in successive years (Swingle et al., 1993).

                      Humpback whales are not fast swimmers yet can gain enough speed to leap out of the
              water, or "breach". Humpbacks have also been known to slap the water with the flukes or
              flippers; neither behavior have been explained. Humpbacks feed on krill, herring, capelin,
              mackerel, and other schooling fish. Feeding behavior can consist of a pod of whales creating a


                                                                                        Conse?vation Plan /Page I I









               "bubble net"; encircle the school of fish by producing a bubble curtain as they ascend to the
               surface. The bubble net entraps prey and allows the humpback to charge into the net and engulf
               the food (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983).

                       Status: The humpback whale was placed on the endangered species list in 1973 when the
                                                                             I
               Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress. Humpbacks are also protected by the Marine
               Mammal Protection Act.



               Harbor Porpoise, Phoceanaphocoena (Linnaeus)

                       Description: The harbor porpoise is the only true porpoise in the North Atlantic. This
               species usually only reaches a length of about 1.5 m and a weight of 45-60 kg. Females are
               slightly larger than males. They have 19 to 28 pairs of small, spatulate teeth in each jaw
               (Jefferson et al., 1993). It is usually dark brown or grey on the back, lighter grayish brown on
               the sides, and white on the belly, with the white extending farther up on the sides of the animal
               in front of the dorsal fin. It has a small, triangular dorsal fin. The flippers are dark in color,
               with a narrow dark stripe extending from the flipper to the eye area (Leatherwood and Reeves,
               1983).  Distribution: Harbor porpoises are found in the western North Atlantic from Cape
               Hatteras to Greenland, almost always in the shallow waters on the continental shelf (Katona, et
               al., 1993), including bays, estuaries, and tidal channels (Hoyt, 1984). Although sometimes seen
               in groups of 50 or more, group size is normally no more than 8-10 animals. They may exhibit
               an inshore and off shore alteration of range, with movement offshore occurring during the winter
               months (Hoyt, 1984). In Virginia waters, the harbor porpoise is seen mainly in the winter and
               may be coincident with'the spring shad run (Blaylock, 1995).

                       Life Hia!Qry: Age at sexual maturity is estimated at three to six years (Katona et al.,
               1993) and life span probably does not exceed 15 years (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983). Most
               calves are born from spring to mid-summer (Jefferson et al, 1993). Gestation time is approxi-
               mately 11 months, and females tend to give birth to one calf every one or two years. Nursing
               lasts about 8 months (Hoyt, 1984)

                       Harbor porpoises are known to feed on a variety of fish such as small cods, herring and
               sole, as well as squid and crustaceans (Hoyt, 1984). Harbor porpoises stranded in Virginia have
               had stomach contents of bay anchovy and otoliths of other small fish in their stomachs
               (Blaylock, 1985). Communal feeding behaviors have been observed (Hoyt, 1984).

                       Status: While the world population of harbor porpoises is not well studied, populations
               appear to be declining. The NMFS has suggested that the species be listed as threatened in U.S.
               waters,.as.it already is in Canadian water (Katona et al., 1993).



                                                                                         Conservation Plan/ Page 12





             'Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu)

                     Description: This species is one of the best known of all dolphin species, due to its
             prevalence in captivity and the commonness of sightings near-shore. It has a robust body with a
             relatively tall, falcate dorsal fin. Counter-shading on individuals varies from light grey to nearly
             black dorsally, fading to white, even pinkish on the belly. The rostrum is short to moderate in
             length, and is clearly demarcated from the melon by a sharp crease. Adults range from 1.8 to
             3.9 in and may weigh as much as 650 kg, although most are much smaller. Bottlenose dolphins
             have .18 to 26 pairs of teeth in each jaw, some of which may be wom down or missing in older
             animals (Jefferson et al, 1993).

                     Distribution: Most bottlenose dolphins observed in Virginia belong to the coastal
             migratory stock of the Atlantic population (Scott et al., 1988). This stock is most likely
             distributed from New Jersey to northern Florida (Wang et al., 1994). North of Cape Hatteras,
             North Carolina, coastal migratory dolphins occur seasonally. Virginia is the southernmost state
             with seasonal and not year-round dolphin presence. Although dolphins are found throughout the
             state, they appear to be concentrated at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and all of Assateague
             Island (Swingle et al., 1993). Calving occurs throughout the summer and may peak in June and
             August. "Operation Dolphin", through shore-based boat observations, has generated preliminary
             information on status and distribution of this species in Virginia (Swingle et al., 1993; Swingle
             and Barco, in press).

                     Stranding records include some bottlenose dolphin strandings in the winter and early
             spring. These individuals are most likely members of the offshore population which occur along
             the continental shelf edge year-round (Kenney, 1990). In 1987, a mass mortality may have
             decreased the coastal migratory stock by up to 50% (Scott et al., 1988). For this reason, the
             National Marine Fisheries Service listed this stock as depleted in April 1993 and is currently
             developing a conservation plan (Wang et al., 1994). 1

                     Life HistoLy: Growth patterns are described in Read et al. (1993). The age of sexual
             maturity for males is 10 to 12 years, for females 5 to 12. Gestation is approximately 12 months
             and reproducing females have one calf every 2 to 3 years. Calves are nursed for a year or
             longer, and average lifespan ranges from 25 to 3 5 years (Wells et al., 1983; Katona et al., 1993
             Geraci, 1989). Rittmaster and Thayer (1991) describe North Carolina reproductive rates and
             Scott et al. 1990 describe population dynamics of western Florida dolphins.

                     Bottlenose dolphins are usually found in pods of less than 10 individuals in the coastal
             shore form, and less than 25 in the offshore, though herds of several hundred have been seen
             both offshore and in Chesapeake Bay (Leatherwood and Reeves, 1983; Kenney, 1990; Wang et
             al., 1994). Dolphins often segregate into groups by sex and age, though some intermixing does
             occur, and strong bonds seem only to occur between the mother-calf pair (Wells et al., 1983
             Wells, 1991; Katona et al, 1993).



                                                                                        Conservation Plan/ Page 13









                       Feeding occurs as a group activity in which schools of fish are herded together (Jefferson
               et al., 1993). While varied in their feeding habits, analysis of gut contents of stranded bottlenose
               dolphins indicates that croakers, sea trout and spot are the main prey items in the Northwestern
               Atlantic (Blaylock, 1985, Mead and Potter, 1990). Use of echolocation appears to play a major
               role in locating prey, and at high intensities, may also be used  to immobilize prey.

                       Status: The bottlenose dolphin was listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal
               Protection Act in 1993.



               Harbor Seal, Phoca vitulina

                       Description: Harbor seals mature at about 1.8 m. Coloration is widely variable, ranging
               from white or light gray with dark spots, black, dark grey or brown with white rings or an
               intermediate between the two. The nostril is v-shaped and there are no externally visible ears.
               Harbor seals may often be distinguished from other seals when hauled out on land by a charac-
               teristic arched posture. The head and hind flippers are raised into the air (Jefferson et al., 1993).

                       Distribution: Harbor seals are confined to temperate and subartic regions of the Northern
               Hemispheres, mostly in the western North Atlantic. Small local populations may be found in
               some rivers and lakes of W. Hudson Bay, where they may move as far as 240 kni inland, and is
               the most frequently reported seal in New England. Harbor seals normally bask and sleep during
               low tides on coastal Islands and ledges, and forage during high tides. In Virginia, an occasional
               seal hauls out in Virginia Beach around Linkhorn Bay and event at Hopewell on the James
               River. They can be seen in Virginia near the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel
               during the winter and spring months (Young et al., 1993).

                       Harbor seals may be hauled out in large groups at low tide on intertidal ledges, rocky
               islets, reefs, mud flats, log rafts, piers, and isolated beaches. They forage at high tide for fish
               and@ invertebrates in benthic, midwater, and surface habitats. The may be seen alone or in small
               groups at sea (Reeves, et al., 1992).

                       LifeHisto : Harbor seals live 30-35 years and reach sexual maturity at three to six
               years (Bruenderman & Terwilliger, 1994). They pup in spring and summer from the arctic to
               New Hampshire. The pup rides on its mother's back for the first week of life. Nursing can take
               place both on land and in water, and pups are weaned usually after four weeks.

                       A harbor seal diet is varied, including benthic and pelagic fish (including herring, squid,
               and alewife), crustaceans and copepods. Moreover, harbor seals probably consume 6-10% of
               their body weight everyday in order to maintain a reserve of insulating blubber (Reeves et al.,
               1992; Bruenderman & Terwilliger, 1994).

                       Harbor seals are gregarious while on land; thousands may congregate at one haul out site.


                                                                                             Conservation Plan/ Page 14








              Hauling out periods are primarily used for sleeping and molting though aggressive behaviors
              have been observed during a haul out (Reeves et al., 1992).

                     Harbor seals are becoming more common in Virginia water in recent years. Based on
              stranding and sighting records, they are commonly sighted along Eastern Shore islands, the
              Chesapeake Bay mouth, and throughout Virginia Beach coastal and inlet waters. Live seal
              strandings are a common occurrence in winter and some examples of intentional wounding
              (gunshot) and mortalities related'to disease have occurred in Virginia. Phocine distemper virus
              in harbor seals has been identified as a significant disease in the western,North Atlantic
              population and has been bound in seals from Virginia waters.

                     Status: The harbor seal population seems to be recovering. The level of annual
              mortalities is unknown.



              Common Manatee, Trichechus manatus (Linnaeus)

                     Description: Adults average 3.5 m in length and weigh up to 500 kg. Manatees have
              thick skin that is grey and hairless ("elephant like") and a broad paddle-like tall with no medial
              notch. The head is small in proportion to the body, the lips are large and fleshy and overhang
              the jaw, and the muzzle is covered with colorless bristles. The pectoral flippers are long,
              flexible, and have nails, allowing the manatee to manipulate food (Reeves et al., 1992; Jefferson
              et al., 1993 ; Bruenderman and Terwilliger, 1994)


                     Distribution: The West Indian manatee is distributed from Brazil to the Carolinas and
              occasionally the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia. There have been seven confirmed sightings in
              the Bay and along the Eastern Shore of Virginia since 1992 (Morgan and Musick, 1994; S.
              Moein, pers. obs.). Manatees inhabit mainly coastal ocean areas, rivers, and creeks and typically
              have been found congregated near electrical power plants due to their warm water discharge
              (Blaylock, 1985)

                     During the 1990's, manatees h ave been sighted in Virginia waters each year. One
              animal, photo-identified as an animal living in Florida, was one of the two found in the
              freshwater locks of the intercoastal waterway.

                     Life HistoEy: In cold weather, manatees can be found congregated in large numbers,
              normally when near warm water discharge. Otherwise, they do not appear to be social animals.
              Mating occurs in all seasons, gestation lasts from 12 to 14 months and the calf is not normally
              weaned until after one to two years (Reeves, et. al., 1992). West Indian manatees are herbivo-
              rous and mainly eat submerged aquatic vegetation (such as water hyacinth and hydrilla) (Reeves
              et al., 1992). Manatees have been observed, however, beaching themselves in order to reach a
              food item (such as grasses) growing on the shore (Reeves, et al., 1992).



                                                                                      Conservation Plan IPage 15









                      Manatees are vocal animals (sounds ranging from 600 Hz to 16 kHz) and may use sound
               recognition for communication. It is believed that mother and calf may recognize each other
               through calls (Reeves et al., 1992).

                      Status: The West Indian manatee is federally listed as endangered and is protected by the
               U.S. Fish and Wild life Service.




               POPULATION FACTORS AFFECTING
                      THESE SPEcr-ES AS A GROUP


                      A variety of both natural and anthropogenic factors are responsible for the overall decline
               of this large assemblage of species rangewide. Historically, the most significant impact on
               marine mammals and sea turtles was subsistence hunting and use of the animals by humans
               (Frazier, 1981; Ross, 1981). Through a combination of protective legislation, education, and
               enforcement, taking of these animals has been restricted, and in some cases prohibited, in order
               t
               o provide for sustainable and recovering populations.

                      Today, a host of factors affect both the populations and, their habitats. The growth and
               subsequent expansion of the human population has been well documented resulting in a decline
               in protected, quality breeding, migration, or foraging habitat throughout these species' ranges.
                                                                   In
               In Virginia, coastal and estuarine habitat loss and degradation have affected overall species
               diversity, abundance, and distribution in the Bay and its tributaries (Wells, et. al., 1983). The
               loss of water quality, functional habitat, and prey availability have ultimately affected top
               consumers in the food web. Predators such as bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise are
               susceptible to bio-magnification of toxins and other pollutants and have been documented with
               high levels of contaminants across their range (Katona et al., 1993; Evans 1987; Jefferson et al.,
               1993  Leatherwood and Reeves, 1993     Hoyt, 1984). However, the Chesapeake Bay Program, a
               multi-state cooperative effort, has.set water quality. and other resource goals and developed a
               plan of action to monitor and restore the Bay (Ches. Bay Exec. Council, 1988; Wells, et al.,
               1983; Heck and Thoman, 1984; Year 2020 Panel, 1988; Funderburke, et al., 1991; Ches. Bay
               Program, 1992)

                      The Commonwealth's natural shoreline continues to be modified and Virginia has been
               ranked as the fifth leading state in the nation for coastal residential construction and sixth for
               commercial construction (NOAA, 1990, 1992c). Shoreline development, stabilization, and other
               modifications have rendered portions of the Virginia shoreline functionally unavailable and
               unsuitable to these species, particularly to nesting sea turtles. Artificial lighting and increased
               human recreation and traffic along these beaches continue to threaten the productivity and
               survival of loggerheads as they attempt to nest along our beaches (Witham, 1981; Sternberg,
               198 1). The coastline of Virginia's Eastern Shore, however, has remained relatively unchanged

                                                                                          Conservation Plan/ Page 16









              due in large part to cooperative public - private protection of the barrier island system.

                      Virginia coastal waters, including those of the Bay, have been subject to an increase in
              public use, both recreational and commercial. Sea turtles and marine mammals are all suscepti-
              ble to watercraft disturbance and injury. Large whales are susceptible to watercraft disturbance'
              and injury. Larger whales are susceptible to boat strikes and virtually all sea turtles and marine
              mammals can be injured by boats and their propellers (Beach and Weinrich, 1989). Boat traffic
              (including wave runners and a variety of watercraft) can disturb the feeding, breeding, and social
              behavior by  close or prolonged approach to these animals (Baker et al, 1983; Blaylock, 1985;
              Young et al., 1993).


                      Commercial traffic has also been documented as a threat to sea turtles and marine
              mammals. Large whales are susceptible to ship collisions as they sleep on the surface of the .
              water (Beach and Weinrich, 1989; Blaylock, 1985; Morgan et al., 1995). Acoustic disturbance
              of humpback whales by larger watercraft has been documented (Baker et al., 1983; Baker et al.,
              1988; Hall, 1982) resulting in disruption of courtship, nursing, calving, etc. Even smaller
              commercial whale watching vessels pose a threat if they approach animals too closely or stay too
              long in the area.

                      Another rangewide threat to this group of animals is that posed by commercial fishing
              industries (Read and Gaskin, 1988; NOAA, 1992a, 1994c; Keinath et al., 1994; Read, in press).
              Sea turtles have been caught or entangled in trawl nets, crab pot lines, gill nets, and pound net
              leader hedging in Virginia (Bellmund, et al., 1987; Keinath, 1987; Barnard et al., 1989) and
              rangewide (Balazs, 1982, Lien, et al., 1989, N.A. S., 1990). Incidental catch of harbor porpoise
              and other cetaceans in gill nets, purse seines, and traps has also been documented from Virginia
              (Read, in press; Read and Gaskin, 1988; Young et al., 1993). Entanglement in fishing gear has
              also been documented on the increase in fin whales (Evans, 1987) and humpback whales (Lien,
              et al., 1989; Ohara et al., 1986). Similarly, capture in shrimp trawlers is a major threat to
              Kemp's ridleys, but has begun to be addressed by TED's (Murphy and Hopkins-Murphy, 1989;
              Ross et al., 1989, Fed. Register, 1987; Seidel and McVei, 198 1 - Phillips, 1989). Commercial
              fishing activities have been documented to be the largest single source of sea turtle mortality in,
              the coastal U.S. (Natl. Res. Coun., 1990).

                      A stranding network represents one toot used to determine and monitor the causes o     f
              mortality. Such a network was established in 1979 by VIMS and now comprises over 100
              cooperating individuals and organizations. Recent involvement by VMSM has provided
              improved coverage of coastal Virginia, especially for marine mammals. Through this network,
              dead and live stranded sea turtles and marine mammals are identified, and data are collected on a
              variety of life history parameters. Necropsies allow determination of the cause of death, food
              habits,age, sex, growth etc. (Lutcavage and Musick, 1985; Musick et al, 1985; Hare and Mead,
              1987; Bellmund et al., 1987; Keinath et al., 1987- Klinger, 1988, Lutcavage, 1981; Morgan et
              al., .19-94).



                                                                                          Conservation Plan/ Page 17









                     In temporal and geographic analysis of 413 cetacean and manatee strandings and
              sightings during 1983-1989, Morgan et al. (1995) found that 34 (8. 1%) exhibited signs of
              adverse interactions related to humans. Most of the causes of death were classified as unknown
              as in many cases body decomposition did not allow,,for determination of mortality. In addition,
              most (72.7%) of the specimens were Tursiops and 70% of these specimens were reported in
              association with the 1987 die off. Cetacean strandings exhibit temporal patterns. Harbor
              porpoise mortality was most prevalent during the late winter and early spring. Swingle et al.
              1993 observed increase in Tursiops from 1988 to 1993 and recorded similar seasonal peaks in
              mortality. In an analysis of stranding and mortality of humpbacks in the mid-Atlantic and
              southeast U.S. from 1985-1992, Wiley et al. 1995 found that significantly more strandings
              occurred along 170 km. of coastline between the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, and Cape Hatteras,
              North Carolina (x = 70.67, df =1, p<0.01) than occurred in the rest of the study area. In the
              twenty animals where cause of death was determinable, 30% were attributable to ship strikes and
              25% to entanglement in fishing gear. The'authors note that the possibility that some animals
              sustained these anthropogenic factors after death could not be ruled out. Young et al. (1993)
              listed the incidental take by fisheries on harbor seals as a significant effect on the population.

                     Sea turtle stranding data also exhibit temporal and geographic patterns (Maps 1-10). In
              general, high sea turtle mortalities have been documented during spring migration in late May
              and early June from 1979 through 1986 (Keinath et al., 1987). A number of these mortalities
              were associated with entanglement in fishing gear (Bellmund et al., 1987, Musick et al., 1985,
              Byles, 1988). Apparent cause of death was determinable in 50% of 920 sea turtle carcasses
              collected from strandings between 1979 and 1986 (Keinath et. al. 1987). Decomposition and
              lack of visible wounds precluded concrete determination of the cause of death in the remaining
              50% of specimens examined. All of the explainable deaths (50%) were attributed to human
              interactions. Propeller wounds were observed in 10% of the turtle carcasses and two individuals
              had gunshot wounds. 40% of the examined carcasses were either found entangled in gill or
              pound nets, or with constriction marks on the flippers or neck suggesting entanglement
              Bellmund et al, 1987; Musick et al. 1985).

                     Additional types of human activity may potentially impact sea turtle and marine
              mammals. Military activities along the coast which involve beach disturbance or aquatic
              acoustic disturbances such as target bombing and hovercraft maneuvers have the potential -to
              disrupt or injure animals in the area. Hopper dredging has been shown to be a major source of
              mortality for sea turtles in channels along the southeast coast of the U.S. (Dickerson et al., 199 1;
              Joyce, 1992).

                     Purposeful injury and mortality of sea turtles and marine mammals has declined
              significantly in response to education, enforcement, and protective legislation. Unfortunately,
              occasional animals are found with signs of purposeful human harm. Ingestion of plastics and
              other pollutants remains a problem (Stanley, et al., 1988; Lutz, 1989) It is hoped that continuing
              education efforts will be the remedy with law enforcement as a deterrent (Paust, 1988).



                                                                                       Conservation Plan/ Page 18









                     Natural predation is also a factor affecting some of the small species or young individuals
              of sea turtles and marine mammals. Most obvious is the predation of sea turtles nests by
              mammals, birds, and even ghost crabs (Witham, 198 1; Pritchard, 1979). Loggerhead sea turtle
              nests are frequently destroyed before hatching if nest management is not employed. Eggs are
              young are easy prey for a host of avian and mammalian predators on the beach and birds and
              fish species as they swim to the Sargassum. also concentrate natural predators, marine debris, and
              petroleum and other pollutants (Witham, 1974; Fritts, 1982. Young as well as older turtles can
              become entangled in or ingest this jetsam (Carr, 1986, 1987b; Balazs, 1985 - Vargo et al., 1986;
              Plotkin and Amos, 1988; Stanley et al., 1988, Ross et al., 1989). Even'large turtles have been
              observed with shark or large predator wound (Gudger, 1949; Caldwell and Caldwell, 1969;
              Balazs, 1979;




              SYNOPSIS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION
                     ANb REGULATIONS IN VIRGINIA


                     In total, five state and federal agencies have conservation authorities or in the case of
              VIMS, conservation responsibilities for sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia. Several
              federal and state laws and regulations protect sea turtles and marine mammals in the
              Commonwealth.


                                          NATIONAL CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES



              Endangered Species Act

                     At the federal level, comprehensive efforts to protect endangered and threatened species
              began with the passage of the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. (U.S. Department
              of Commerce, 1994). The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 strengthened these
              initial provisions and the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
              Wild Flora and Fauna followed to solidify conservation- efforts internationally. Congress then
              recognized that a more comprehensive effort than that authorized in these acts was needed to
              counteract continued loss of species. Finally, in 1973, the passage of the Endangered Species
              Act enhanced federal abilities to protect endangered species and develop measures for their
              recovery. During each reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act, amendments have been
              added which reflect the experience and knowledge gained in administering its provisions. The.
              1978 amendments require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries
              Service to develop and implement recovery plans for species under their jurisdiction. Between
              1991 and 1993 recovery plans were completed for all five endangered and threatened sea turtles
              (NMFS and USFWS, 1991a, 1991b; NMFS and USFWS, 1992, USFWS, 1993) and the
              -Northern Right Whale (Eubelaena glacialis) (NMF S, 199 1) and Humpback whale (Mega@tera

                                                                                          Conservation Plan/ Page 19









               novaeangliae) (NMFS, 1991, NOAA, 1994b). One species, the Harbor porpoise (Phoecena
               phoecena) is presently proposed for listing. These recovery plans will drive conservation efforts
               for these sea -turtles and marine mammal species range-wide.

                       The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.) offers these
               endangered and threatened species fairly comprehensive protection as administered by the
               USFWS and NMFS. In addition to Section-4, which provides for the recovery planning process,
               Section-6 provides for cooperative agreements with states to share the responsibility for
               conservation within state boundaries. In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
               Fisheries has a Section-6 agreement with USFWS to implement the Endangered Species Act but
               no such agreement exists with NNES at this time. Also through the ESA, various impacts such
               as dredging, fishery interactions, etc. are addressed under Section-7 through incidental take
               statements for intergovernmental consultation. Section- 10 provides for the development of
               habitat conservation plans and incidental take permits for private actions which impact these
               species.



               Marine Mammal Protection Act


                       The Marine Mammal Protection Act (NEMPA) (16 U. S. C. ï¿½ 13 61-1407) is the other
               significant federal legislation which provides protection and management for these species
               primarily thru NMFS. The MIYIPA states that the Secretary of Commerce (the department in
               which NOAA operates) has all responsibility, authority, funding, and duties with respect to
               members of the order Cetacea and members, other than walruses, of the order Pinnipedia and
               that the Secretary of Interior then administers all other marine mammals (NOAA, 1994a)

                       The Marine Mammal Protection Act provides that a species or stack may be listed as
               depleted if 1). the Secretary, after consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission and the
               Committee of Scientific Advisors on marine mammals (established under subchapter I 11)
               determines that a species or population stock is below its optimum sustainable population; or 2)
               a state [to which authority for the conservation and management of a species or population
               stock is transferred under Section 1379] makes that determination; or 3). a species or population
               stock is listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. If such a determination is made, the
               MIVIPA states that immediate measures should be taken for its replenishment and protection.

                       The MIAPA addresses this through a number of its sections including stranding networks
                  109(h)), marine mammal protection through individual stock assessments, incidental take
               reduction plans, regulations governing take by commercial fisheries, scientific research permits
               (ï¿½4), stranding and die-off response (Title IV). Under Section 115, the Secretary is responsible
               for the review of species status and conservation planning and is to develop conservation plans
               to "conserve and restore a species or stock to its optimum sustainable population".

                        Because of their joint responsibilities for this large and important group of animals,


                                                                                             Conservation Plan I Page 20









             under the ESA and M1\,1PA, USFWS and NNE S, through a series of memoranda of
             understanding, have delineated responsibilities and roles for these various species of animals.
             Their memorandum of understanding for sea turtles states that when on land or in fresh water,
             they fall under the jurisdiction of the USFWS. When in a marine (salt water ) habitat, they are
             under NMFS jurisdiction. These memoranda of understanding further define the federal
             agencies' cooperative roles in terms of impacts, consultation and permitting. These two federal
             agencies also have delineated responsibility for marine mammal species as follows. The
             USFWS has jurisdiction over the manatee, dugong, and several other furbearing marine
             mammals (sea otter, walrus, polar bear and monk seal) while the NNES presides over the rest of
             marine mammals.


                    NNE S has additional responsibilities and opportunities for marine mammal protection
             through the federal Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. Under this Act,
             advisory councils are set up (as is the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council) and Fishery
             Management Plans (FMP's) are required. FMP's have national standards, one of which requires
             the FMP to address impacts to marine mammals and endangered or threatened species. One
             such FMP which relates directly to Virginia's protection efforts of sea turtles and marine
             mammals is the FMP for the summer flounder fishery ( NOAA, 1992) as the result of a study of
             the Interactions between sea turtles and this fishery (NOAA and N.C. Dept.. of the Environment,
             1992)



                                         STATE CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES


                    At the state level, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's (VMRC) legislation
             (ï¿½28.2-101) provides comprehensive management authority to VN4RC for all marine organisms
             and habitat. This includes sea turtles and marine mammals as well as the prey base upon which
             they depend (ï¿½28.2-100, definitions). NMRC also regulates the take of many fin and shell fish
             in Virginia waters including the establishment of fin and shell fish seasons, possession limits and
             size restrictions.


                    Specifically, ï¿½28.2-101 states that the jurisdiction of the VN4RC includes the
             Commonwealth's territorial sea and extends to the fall line of all tidal rivers and streams except
             in the case of state owned bottomlands where jurisdiction then extends throu hout the
             Commonwealth. It goes on to state that VNMC jurisdiction includes all commercial fishing and
             all marine fish, marine shellfish, marine organisms, and habitat in such areas. Specifically the
             code provides for VMRC to promulgate regulations which conserve and promote the seafood
             and marine resources of the Commonwealth, to establish licenses and prepare fishery
             management plans. VMRC's Enforcement, Fisheries, Habitat, and Statistics divisions are
             responsible for development and implementation of programs which carry out these mandates.
             VDGIF's state Endangered Species Act (ï¿½29.1-563-570) and subsequent regulations (ï¿½325.01-
             13) provide for adoption of the federal endangered and threatened list, listing at the state level,
             and protection of those species in the state. Further protective legislation for non-endangered


                                                                                    Conservation Plan I Page 21









              species is found in ï¿½29.1-521 which provides for the protection of wild animals in general.
              VDGIF's Wildlife, Fisheries, Law Enforcement, Public Relations, Resource Education,
              Planning, Policy and Environment, Lands and Engineering, and Administrative divisions are
              responsible for program development and implementation.

                     The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), which is part of the College of
              William and Mary (Chapter 5, ï¿½23-39 et seq., Title 23) has marine conservation duties under the
              Code of Virginia (ï¿½28.1-195). Specifically, the duties of the Institute include advising VMRC,
              other agencies and private groups on the conservation of fisheries resources (Hargis, 1989).
              VIMS is to conduct research and provide technical assistance, advice and training to the boards
              of Conservation and Development of Public Beaches on erosion of tidal shorelines and tidal
              shoreline erosion to the Soil and Water Conservation Board. The Institute is to engage in - I
              research in the marine sciences and conduct studies and investigations into marine resources
              including the waters, beaches , bottoms, and wetlands as it pertains to the conservation,
              development and replenishment of marine resources.

                     The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through its Coastal Zone
              Management Program responsibilities, is also a partner worthy of recognition. NOAA's Coastal
              Zone Protection program is administered through the Department of Environmental Quality in
              Virginia. Many of its programs and activities directly and indirectly affect water quality
              throughout the Coastal Plain. It was through  a grant from this program that this planning effort
              was made possible.



              SYNOPSIS OF EXISTING CONSERVATION
                     PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA


                     In addition to the mandated conservation programs of the above mentioned agencies,
              several other organizations' efforts deserve special recognition for their outstanding contribution
              to sea turtles and marine mammals conservation in Virginia. Summarized below are the major
              organizations and partners who have actively participated in Virginia's sea turtle and marine
              mammal conservation programs. Their contributions have made a significant impact on
              conservation efforts in the Commonwealth and it is the intention and desire of all parties of the
              team to further develop this joint and cooperative effort between public and private
              governmental and non-govemmental partners.


              Virginia Marine Science Museu    in, Virginia Beach, Virginia

                     Stranding Program: Initiated in 1989 primarily due to the efforts of Mark Swingle this
              program is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and research of marine animals. More than
              3 )00 strandings of endangered and protected species such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles on

                                                                                        Conservation Plan /Page 22








               beaches from the Eastern Shore to North Carolina have been investigated, with the help of     mor
               than 10,000 hours of volunteer time. III or injured animals are transported for treatment, and
               tissue and other samples from dead animals are sent to appropriate agencies such as the
               Smithsonian Institution Marine Mammal Research Program or the VIMS Sea Turtle Program.

                      Operation Dolphin: Utilizing small boat surveys, shore-based surveys and photographic
               identification (photo-ID), researcher have begun to characterize the distribution, movements and
               population status of Virginia's coastal bottlenose dolphins. More than 250 individual dolphins
               have been cataloged and comparisons with information collected in other states may provide
               insight into their migration patterns.

                      Humpback Whale Research: Researchers have documented a dramatic increase in
               humpback whales in the nearshore waters of Virginia. Photo-identification efforts have
               identified 18 individuals, and five of these have returned to Virginia in two successive years.
               P*rior to this work, only a few individuals were seen sighted annually.

                      Public Outreac : Perhaps the most important contribution of the museum to the
               conservation of sea turtles and marine mammals is its public awareness program. More than
               33 5,000 people, including 3 9,000 schoolchildren, visit the museum annually and learn through
               creative, hands-on exhibits the importance of our environment to the health of these threatened
               animals. Exhibits on sea turtles and marine mammals will be open to the public in 1996. The
               museum also provides unique opportunities to the public to experience dolphins and whales in
               their natural environments, through their marine mammal cruises in the Chesapeake Bay.


               James Madison University, Department of Biology

                      Marine Mammal Research: Ann Pabst and William McLellan are involved in research
               designed to learn how cetaceans are functionally adapted to their marine environment. They
               approach these questions by conducting research from the "inside out" - that is, they dissect
               cetaceans that have either stranded or been taken incidental to fishing operations. Each salvaged
               animal in invaluable, yielding insights not only into how it may have died, but also how it made
               its living. They use tissues to study the function and development of their locomotor,
               reproductive and cardiovascular systems. This work has yielded valuable results. Their
               cooperative research with the Smithsonian Institution has shown that the dorsal fin and flukes
               are full of blood vessels that the animal uses to regulate its body temperature. Currently, these
               researchers are working with others to minimize harmful effects of these tags to these animals.


               Christopher Newport University, Field Studiesfor the College of Science and Technology,
               Newport News, Virginia.

                      Dolphin Pro-jects: Since May, 1992, Sherman Jones and his staff have been involved


                                                                                          Conservation Plan I Page 23









             with a small boat survey, photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins in the Chesapeake
             Bay. They have conducted a total of 150 cruises, taken nearly 5,000 photographs, and currently
             have a catalog including 60 recognizable individual dolphins. Their photographic records also
             include other marine mammals and sea turtles they encountered. CNU also sponsors a quarterly
             newsletter for the Atlantic Dolphin Research Network, and offers courses on marine mammals,
             including a "Bottlenose Dolphin Field School",'on Virginia's Eastern Shore.


             National Museum ofNatural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

                    Marine Mammal Program: Apart from serving as an important national clearinghouse of
             information on marine mammals, mammalogists at the National Museum of Natural History are
             well-known for their long-term studies of the life history of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops
             truncatus. James G.Mead and Charles W. Potter recently published the results of 15 years of
             work in which they speculated on the existence of two or more populations of bottlenose
             dolphins in the northwest Atlantic.


             Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, National Biological
             Survey, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Blacksburg, Virginia.

                    Their research addresses threats which are common to sea turtles in the coastal areas of
             Virginia and elsewhere. The purpose of their six-year study on the coast of Florida was to
             determine the importance of a 7 to 8-mile stretch of beach. Considered as a possible addition to
             the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Dr. Vaughan's research provided important
             information needed for the acquisition of this beach to sea turtles. In a separate study in St.
             Croix, these Virginia Tech scientists studied seasonal movements of hawksbill sea turtles.





             SYNOPSIS OF CURRENT PUBLIC INFORMATION
                    AND EDUCATION EFFORTS-IN VIRGINIA

                    Marine mammal and sea turtle recoveries require long-term support over a large
             geographic area, The public must be factually informed on the issues especially in situations
             when anthropogenic activities such as beach development, public use of nesting beaches, and
             fisheries may potentially conflict with the protection and management of species. Public
             education is the foundation upon which a long-term management program will succeed or fail.
             Existing sea turtle and marine mammal educational groups/ programs/efforts have contributed
             significantly to the overall conservation of these spe cies and are listed below.



                                                                                    Conservation Plan IPage 2.4









              The Virginia Bay Team, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) - Gloucester Point,
              Virginia

                      The Virginia Bay Team is statewide outreach education program    about the Chesapeake
                      Bay. In addition, the Aquarium at Waterman's Hall - VIMS displays sea turtles and
                      access is provided through a self-guided tour. Two publications are available from
                      Virginia Sea Grant on sea turtles and marine mammals. Address: Sea Grant
                      Communications, VIMS, Gloucester Point, VA 23062. VIMS stranding program staff
                      provide educational programs to the public and conservation organizations, workshops,
                      training for the network cooperators, as well as state and local agency staff.


              Virginia Marine Science Museum - Virginia Beach, Virginia

                      Specific curricula on sea turtles and marine mammals are presented at the Aquarium and,
                      through outreach programming. Education packets (i.e., traveling kits) are available for
                      loan to classroom teachers. Whale observation trips are available during the winter and
                      summer periods to observe migrating individuals. A team consisting of Aquarium
                      personnel and volunteers respond to sea turtle and marine mammal strandings for the
                      entire coastal area of Virginia. In addition, a team of educators also respond to each
                      stranding to do on-site educational programming (termed - "teachable moments"). The
                      Aquarium participates in a captive-rearing project of loggerhead sea turtles. These
                      individuals are eventually tagged and released, for satellite observations. Presently, the
                      Aquarium is expanding its facility to include additional sea turtle and marine mammal
                      exhibit space for juveniles and adults. These expansions are due to be completed by
                      Spring 1996.


              Virginia Living Museum - Newport News, Virginia

                      The Virginia Living Museum exhibits juvenile loggerhead sea turtles and teaches marine
                      science programs. The Virginia Living Museum is part of the captive-rearing turtle
                      program, and turtles are released in Florida, approximately 20 miles from their natal site.
                      Whale watching trips are available to New England and Maryland.


              Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) - Resource Education Division -
              Richmond, Virginia

                      Through teacher in-services, educators can obtain activities (Project Wild) for the
                      classroom on sea turtles and marine mammals. An inflatable whale is used to teach
                      natural history facts on toothed and baleen whales. VDGIF will also assist schools in the
                      construction of a life size blue whale replicate (= 70ft) for their schools. Recently, the


                                                                                        Conservation Plan/ Page 25








                      VDGIF published facts sheets on state laws regulating the possession of sea turtle and
                      marine mammal parts.

               Ocean Encounters - Mechanicsville, Virginia

                      Ocean Encounters offers a variety of outreach programs on marine mammals including
                      role playing, costumes and biofacts (dried/preserved parts - baleen, teeth, and vertebrae).


               Centerfor Marine Conservation - Hampto       n, Virginia and Washington D. C.

                      Hampton - A script/slide program on the effects of plastics on sea turtles is available for
                      a fee. WashingLon D.C. - A poster identifying sea turtle and marine mammal species,
                      coloring books, fact sheets, slide presentations, reports on fisheries conflicts with marine
                      mammals, and briefing documents of the International Whaling meeting are available.


               Christopher Newport College (CNU) - Newport News, Virginia

                      Christopher Newport College offers a field course each spring to study dolphin biology.
                      A long-term study was adopted to photo-ID bottlenose dolphins in the Lower
                      Chesapeake Bay and at the mouths of the James, York, and Elizabeth Rivers. CNT-J also
                      sponsors a quarterly newsletter for the Atlantic Dolphin Research Network.


               James Madison University - Harrisonburg, Virginia

                      Most of the education on marine mammals at James Madison University is through
                      faculty and student research. Dr. Anne Pabst and Dr. William A. McLellan, Department
                      of Biology, present marine mammal lectures to local groups in the Harrisonburg area.


















                                                                                           Conservation Plan/ Page 26









                 STEPDOWN OUTLINE



                 Management Plan Goal:            To enhance the survival and recovery of sea turtles and marine
                                                  mammals utilizing Virginia's waters thereby contributing to the
                                                  global recovery.

                 I        Protect, manage, and    enhance sea turtle and marine mammal populations in Virginia
                          waters.


                          1.1     To assess the status and trends of sea turtle and marine mammal populations both
                                  spatially and temporally.

                                  1.1.1   Monitor the relative abundance and distribution both spatially        and
                                          temporally of sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia (utilizing
                                          published protocols determined to be most effective).

                                  1.1.2   Determine and monitor the age-class structure of sea turtles and marine
                                          mammals in Virginia (including reproductive rates and indices).

                                  1.1.3   Determine the genetic stock structure of sea turtles and marine mammals
                                          in Virginia.

                                  1.1.4   Determine and monitor the mortality rates or indices of sea turtles and
                                          marine mammals in Virginia.

                                  1.1.5   Determine the health, disease, and parasitism of sea turtles and marine
                                          mammals in Virginia.

                          1.2     Assess the life history needs of sea turtles and marine mammals utilizing Virginia
                                  waters.


                                  1.2.1 Determine and monitor feeding ecology both spatially and temporally of
                                          sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia.


                                  1.2.2 Determine and monitor the habitat utilization of sea turtles and marine
                                          mammals in Virginia.

                 2        Manage, protect, and enhance the habitats of sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia.

                          2.1     Identify and document known and potential impacts of habitat loss and alteration

                                                                                                    Conservation Plan I Page 27








                               and to implement methods to minimize and or address these impac         ts.

                               2.1.1   Identify and document known and potential impacts of dredging and
                                       implement methods to minimize and address these impacts.

                               2.1.2   Identify and document known and potential impacts of beach replenish-
                                       ment and stabilization and implement methods to minimize and address
                                       these impacts.

                               2.1.3   Identify and document known and potential impacts of coastal develop-
                                       ment (construction) and implement methods to minimize and address
                                       these impacts.

                               2.1.4   Identify and document known and potential impacts of pollution (chemi-
                                       cal, biological, and physical) and implement methods to minimize or
                                       address these impacts.

                               2.1.5   Identify and document known      and potential impacts of prey base loss and
                                       implement methods to minimize or address these impacts.

                       2.2     Identify and document known and potential impacts of fisheries activities and
                               implement methods to minimize or address these impacts.

                       2.3     Identify, document, and minimize the impacts of military activities.

                       2.4     Identify, document, and minimize the impacts of commercial and recreational
                               activities.


                       2.5     Identify, document, and minimize the impacts from other intentional threats.

               3       Identify and coordinate regulatory and conservation roles, responsibilities, and programs
                       and determine ways to promote coordination between parties.

                       3.1     Document and clarify existing legislation and regulations.

                       3.2     Document and clarify agencies' responsibilities.

                       3.3     Document and clarify existing federal, state, local, and academic programs.

                       3.4     Identify ways to promote coordination and response.

                               3.4.1 Develop action and response plans, i.e., dead stranding, live stranding, and
                                       enforcement protocol.


                                                                                              Conservation Plan /Page 28









                                         3.4.1.1                  Develop and implement a dead and live sea turtle
                                                                  and marine mammal stranding action plan/protocol.

                                         3.4.1.2                  Develop and implement a violation enforcement
                                                                  and reporting action plan/protocol.

                                 ).4.2   Develop and            MOA's or agreements among state and federal
                                         agencies, i.e., Section-6 agreements.

                                         3.4.2.1                  Draft memorandum of understanding between
                                                                  VMRC, VDGIF, and VIMS outlining these
                                                                  agencies' roles and responsibilities.


                                         3.4,2.2                  Draft an MOU between VDG11F and VIMS
                                                                  covering ESA activities.

                                         1.4.2.3                  Draft a Section-6 agreement with NNES and
                                                                  VMRC, VIMS and VDGIF.

                                 3.4.3 Establish E-mail and other systems of communication.

                                         3.4.3.1                  Establish an E-mail or Internet system of
                                                                  communication.


                                         3.4.3.2                  Develop a correspondence copy policy or protocol.

                                 3.4.4 Pursue training workshops.

                4       Improve and promote education and public participation.

                        4.1      Deter-mine existing and potential educational programs and groups.

                        4.2      Identify and maintain communication with existing audiences. and target new
                                 audiences.


                                 4.2.1 Develop and maintain communication and coordination with commercial
                                         fisherman.


                                 4.2.2   Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                         recreational users.


                                 4.2.3   Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                         legislators.


                                                                                                  Conservation Plan /Page 29









                                     4.2.4 Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with the
                                              media.


                                     4.2.5 Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                              other potential supporters.

                           4.3'      Identify ways to promote and improve information dissemination.

                                     4.3.1 Identify various media with which to distribute information.

                                     4.3.2 Develop new publications, posters, and brochures.

                                     4.3.3 Develop timely and effective data exchange between agencies and
                                              organizations.

                           4.4       Determine ways to improve public participation.


































                                                                                                             Conseivation Plan   Page 3 0








                STEPDOWN OUTLINE NARRATIVE



                I       Protect, manage, and enhance sea turtle and marine mammal populations in Virginia
                        waters.


                        1.1      To assess the status and trends of sea turtle and marine mammal populktions both
                                 spatially and temporally-

                                 1.1.1   Monitor the relative abundance and distribution both spatiall3Land
                                         temporally of sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia (utilizinc-I
                                         published protocols determined to be most effective .

                                         in order to assess population increases (possibly due to conservation
                                         efforts) or decreases, it is important that long-term monitoring data be
                                         collected. It is recommended that the existing methods of monitoring
                                         populations in the Bay be continued to establish trend data; specifically
                                         the stranding network information, aerial surveys, and established
                                         observation programs. It is also recommended that an effort be
                                         undertaken to determine the most effective monitoring and survey
                                         methods be determined and utilized. This task should be undertaken as an
                                         immediate future effort of this management team and recommendations
                                         should be produced as a result. .

                                 1.1.2   Determine and monitor the age-class structure of sea turtles and marine
                                         mammals in Virginia (including reproductive rates and indices .
                                                                                                             A

                                         The age and size structure.of sea turtles stranded dead, or incidentally
                                         captured live in Virginia are and have been monitored by VI1\4S since
                                         1979 and more recently by VMSM. In addition, data on sex and
                                         reproductive state are collected on most stranded animals. Size, sex, and
                                         reproductive state are also recorded for marine mammals. However, little
                                         is known of the age structure of marine mammals in Virginia. In addition,
                                         incidence of calves is recorded for bottlenose dolphins aerial surveys
                                         when possible, and also as part of a separate beach and boat observation
                                         program focused on this species by VMSM, James Madison University,
                                         and Christopher Newport University. The management team should
                                         determine the most effective methods of determining age-class structure
                                         and provide recommendations on how best to accomplish this.

                                 1.1.3   Determine the genetic stock structure of sea turtles and marine mammals
                                         in Virginia.

                                                                                                  Conservation Plan /Page 31









                                        Only two species of sea turtles are sufficiently abundant in Virginia to
                                        make genetic studies possible. Of these, the Kemp's ridley is comprised
                                        of one breeding population (nesting at Rancho Nuevo in Tam' aulipas,
                                        Mexico). The other, the loggerhead is composed of two western Atlantic
                                        nesting populations (Bowen et. al., 1993). Studies have begun at VIMS
                                        using mtDNA to determine the origin of thousands of juvenile
                                        loggerheads that spend the summer in the Chesapeake Bay and should be
                                        continued. Little is known of the genetics or stock structure of marine
                                        mammals in Virginia. Studies are needed for harbor porpoise,
                                        humpbacks, and the bottlenose dolphin. Biopsy sampling of cetaceans has
                                        been used successfully in genetic studies and could be incorporated into
                                        ongoing sampl  ing and research in Virginia.

                                1.1.4   Determine and monitor the mortali1y rates or indices of sea turtles and
                                        marine mammals in Virginia.

                                        Frequency and causes of mortality of sea turtles have been monitored as
                                        part of the Stranding Network in Virginia. Marine mammal mortalities
                                        are recorded by both VIMS and VMSM for different areas of the state.
                                        Virginia's stranding network should be continued and improved through
                                        additional state coverage and support. This information should be
                                        collected, compiled, summarized, and presented to the four regulatory
                                        agencies annually. Cause of mortality should be documented, quantified,
                                        and presented as part of this annual summary report.

                                1.1.5   DetermiLie the health, disease, and parasitism of sea turtles and marine
                                        mammals in Virginia.

                                        Health, disease, and parasitism of sea turtles have been monitored by
                                        VIMS since 1979 and was the focus of a M.A. thesis study by Bellmund
                                        (1988). Similar data are recorded for stranded marine mammals by both
                                        VIMS, VMSM, and other researchers at NMFS, the Smithsonian, and
                                        JMU. The importance of this information is evident in view of the serious
                                        dolphin 1978 die-off. Future collection of such data, to a large extent, is
                                        dependent upon the Stranding Network as it is the source of specimens
                                        and study material. This research should be continued work with National
                                        Marine Fisheries Service, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the
                                        existing tissue banks should help determine disease and contaminant
                                        levels in sea turtles and marine mammals.


                        1.2     Assess the life histo[y needs of sea turtles and, marine mammals utilizing Virginia
                                waters.




                                                                                               Conseivation Plan/ Page 32









                                 1.2.1   Determine and monitor feeding ecology-both spatially and temporally of
                                         sea turtles and marine mammals- in Virginia.

                                         The feeding ecology of sea turtles in Virginia has been studied in detail by
                                         VIMS since 1979 (see citations above) and food habits data are routinely
                                         collected by the Stranding Network. Similar foods habits data are
                                         collected from stranded marine mammals by both VIMS and VMSM.
                                         Some of these data have been analyzed and summarized for bottlenose
                                         dolphins by Leatherwood et. al. (1976), and Blaylock (1985). Additional
                                         information is needed particularly about the association of harbor
                                         porpoise, bottlenosed dolphin, and humpback whales, respectively, with
                                         various prey fishes. Trawl surveys and ongoing analysis of stomach
                                         contents of stranded cetaceans has provided preliminary information but
                                         more information is needed.


                                 1.2.2   Determine and monitor the habitat utilization of sea turtles and marine
                                         mammals in Virginia.

                                         Habitat utilization by sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia has
                                         been studied by VIMS using aerial surveys since 198 1. In addition, other
                                         VIMS studies using sonic, radio, and satellite telemetry have provided
                                         more precise details about habitat utilization by loggerhead and Kemp's
                                         ridley sea turtles in the state, and elsewhere in colder months after these
                                         animals have migrated out"of Virginia waters. The aerial monitoring,
                                         telemetry studies, and observation programs to record distribution,
                                         abundance, and habitat utilization of sea turtles and marine mammals need
                                         to continue. In addition, tracking studies are sorely needed on bottlenose
                                         dolphins and harbor porpoise to more closely define habitat utilization in
                                         Virginia and to determine the whereabouts of wintering grounds, calving,
                                         and nursery areas.

                2       Manage. protect, and enhance the habitats of sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia.

                        2.1 @    Identify and document known and potential impacts of habitat loss and alteration
                                 and to implement methods to Minimize and or gddress these impacts.

                                 The marine and estuarine habitats occupied by sea turtles and marine mammals
                                 are widespread and diverse, comprising the whole of the lower Bay, the lower 10
                                 'km of the major tributaries, and all of the oceanfront. Loggerheads occupy
                                 channels and channel edges and Kemp's ridleys prefer shallower "flats" areas near
                                 seagrass beds where blue crabs (their preferred prey) are common. Activities that
                                 occur in these habitats should be considered for their potential impacts on those
                                 species.


                                                                                                  Conservation Plan I Page 33









                               Marine mammals are most common along the oceanfront and bottlenose dolphins
                               regularly forage into the mid-Bay, but are most abundant along the coast and the
                               'Bay mouth. Increased survey efforts need to better define coastal distribution and
                               confirm this preliminary Information to be assured it is not a sampling artifact.
                               There appear to be local groups of bottlenose dolphin that associate with the areas
                               around Cape Henry and Cape Charles during the summer (Blaylock, 1984).
                               Further determination of their distribution and use of the area and habitats is
                               needed. A database of population parameters should be continually collected.
                               These parameters should include information from sightings, necropsies, and
                               photographs. Movements and migrationroutes should also be identified through
                               the use of radio, sonic, or satellite tags and photo identification programs.

                               Once determined, impacted should be minimized through state environmental
                               review process and the federal Section-7 process. Communication early on in the
                               planning phase of projects will be key to more efficient and effective
                               environmental review and Section-7 processes. Coordination between the state
                               and federal resource agencies will be critical in this process.

                               2.1.1   Identify and document known and potential impacts of dredging and
                                       implement methods to minimize and address these impacts.

                                       Hopper dredging has been shown to be a major source of mortality for sea
                                       turtles in channels along the southeast coast of the U.S. In addition,
                                       VIMS recorded loggerhead mortalities from hopper dredges in lower
                                       Chesapeake Bay in the spring of 1994. Dredging activities should be
                                       limited to the colder months (November - April) when sea turtles are rare
                                       or absent in the Bay. Sea grass beds should be protected from dredging
                                       and development, as these beds are habitat for both ridleys and their prey,
                                       blue crabs, which utilize the beds as nursery areas (Heck and Thoman,
                                       1984). In addition, recent development by the U.S. Army Corps of
                                       Engineers in the construction of dredge heads that avoid catching sea
                                       turtles may help to alleviate the problem in the future. Cooperation with
                                       the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through support for surveys, observer,
                                       and research programs, as well as coordination in the early project
                                       planning stages, is recommended.

                               2.1.2   Identif
                                              .y and document knawn and potential impacts of beach
                                       replenishment and stabilization and implement methods to minimize and
                                       address these impacts.

                                       Beach replenishment can alter the suitability of beaches for sea turtle
                                       nesting. Beach stabilization, particularly bulkheading, can completely
                                       destroy nesting beaches. Impacts on nesting sea turtles should be


                                                                                             Conseivation Plan/ Page 34









                                      considered through groper planning before beach replenishment or
                                      stabilization projects are approved. Early and effective coordination
                                      between local, state, and federal agencies in the environmental review
                                      process will result in efficient permitting and proactive resource
                                      management.

                              2.1.3   Identify and document known and 12ot   ential impacts of coastal
                                      development (construction) and implement methods to minimize and
                                      address these impacts.

                                      The potential impact of coastal development on endangered and
                                      threatened sea turtles and marine mammals is addressed by both the
                                      federal and state permitting processes. The effects of construction
                                      activities such and underwater noises should be considered and evaluated
                                      in addition to the potential impacts of permanent habitat manipulation or
                                      loss. The effects of such impacts should be addressed early on in the
                                      planning stages of any such activity in order to minimize the impacts most
                                      effectively. E@arly and effective coordination between  local, state, and
                                      federal agencies in the environmental review process will result in
                                      efficient permitting and proactive resource management.

                              2.1.4   Identify and document known and potential impacts of pollutioLl
                                      (chgmical, biological. and physical) and implement methods to minimize
                                      or address these impact@.

                                      Potential impacts of pollution on sea turtles in Virginia have been studied
                                      by VIMS in loggerhead sea turtles (primarily polycyclic aromatic
                                      hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons were found). The effects of
                                      these pollutants on the animals were not apparent. The NNMS collected
                                      information on body burdens of chemical pollutants on some of the
                                      bottlenose dolphins sampled during the 1987 epizootic. Clearly much
                                      more work is needed in this area. Efforts to improve water quality in
                                      Virginia should continue, and it is imperative that petroleum products not
                                      be released into the Bay. Deep channels should not be disturbed by
                                      dredging during summer months.

                              2.1.5   Identify and document known and potential impacts of 12rey base loss and
                                      implement methods to minimize or address these impacts.

                                      Virtually no information is available on the effect of prey-base lost on sea
                                      turtles and marine mammals in Virginia. As more information becomes
                                      available about the diets of sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia,
                                      assessment should be made on the effects of prey-base loss (through


                                                                                          Conservation Plan I Page 35









                                     pollution, fishing activities, etc.).



                     2.2     Identify and documen t known and potential impacts of fisheries activities and
                             implement methods to minimize or address these impacts.

                             In view of the observed and potential mortalities associated with fisheries
                             activities, research and monitoring programs should be conducted to document
                             these impacts. More quantitative information is needed on several Virginia
                             fisheries as well as their impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals. Preliminary
                             observations and evidence suggest that sea turtle and marine mammal mortalities
                             coincide temporally and spatially with certain fisheries. Statistics on the fisheries
                             themselves (i.e., fishing effort, dates, catch, by-catch etc. as summarized by
                             VMRC < 3 mile limit and National Marine Fisheries Service > 3 miles) should be
                             made available to the management team annually or as requested, to aid in this
                             determination.


                             Specifically, more information is needed on:
                             1)      The fall flounder fishery and its effects on sea turtles, offshore Otter
                                     trawling, and the mandatory use of TED's should be monitored and
                                     quantified. Preliminary information suggests the use of TED's inshore (:S
                                     20 miles) in otter trawls north of Oregon Inlet from April Ist - December
                                     I St.


                             2)      The fall spot gill net fishery and its affects on sea turtles.

                             3 )     The poundnet fishery and its affects on sea turtles.

                             4)      The black drum fishery (spring gill netting) and its affects on sea turtles
                                     and marine mammals in the spring.

                             5)      Ocean gill net shad fishery and its effects on marine mammals in late
                                     winter through spring.

                             Protective measures should be recommended from these studies, implemented,
                             and enforced in order to minimize such impacts. A program to encourage
                             cooperation with Virginia's commercial and recreational fisherman should be
                             implemented. A proactive, educational, approach is recommended in order to
                             avoid a reactive regulatory approach.

                             Protected species should be fully addressed in all state FMP's since recent
                             changes in the NEYWA require states to develop take reduction plans for strategic
                             stocks of marine mammals. In Virginia this includes dolphins and porpoises.


                                                                                       Conseivation Plan IPage 36









                             FAIPs and this documentprovide the opportunityfor state regulatory agencies to
                             manage, state programs with the understanding that both the US Fish and
                             Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service are authorized and
                             obligated to manage these resources if states do not meet their own obligations.

                     23      Identify, document, and minimize the impacts of militaEY activities.

                             The impacts of military activities on sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia
                             are little known. The effects on sea turtles and marine mammals of activities like
                             target bombing in the marine environment, or intensive local vessel activities
                             such as hovercraft maneuvers should be studied. Cooperation of the Department
                             of Defense is encouraged and support for such work is encouraged and
                             recommended.


                     2.4     Identify, -document, and minimize the impacts of commercial and recreational
                             activities.


                             There has been an increased level of commercial whale watching and general
                             nature tours. Although protection and disturbance guidelines exist under the
                             Marine Mammal Protection Act, little information is known about these activities
                             and their effects on Virginia's populations of sea turtles and marine mammals. A
                             dramatic increase in recreational watercraft activities has caused great concern
                             over potential impacts and injury to marine mammals and sea turtles.
                             Particularly, fast moving recreational equipment such as waveriders have been
                             implicated in injuries and disturbance to thisgroup of species. Research is
                             needed into the impacts of these activities and protective measures should be
                             developed and enforced where appropriate. The impact of shipping traffic on
                             humpback whales as well as the determination of the amount of mortality
                             resulting from collision with ships should be investigated.

                     2.5     Identify. document, and minimize the impact from other intentional threats.

                             Purposeful mortality of sea turtles and marine mammals has declined
                             significantly since passage of the federal Endangered Species and Marine
                             Mammal Protection Acts. Regardless, sea turtles are still found stranded
                             occasionally with definite signs of purposeful human harm (gunshot wounds,
                             decapitation, etc.). Public education and stricter enforcement of existing federal
                             and state laws should help reduce these sources of mortality as well as those
                             incidental to fishing operations.

              3      Identify and coordinate reglllatoEy and conservation roles, responsibilities, and programs
                     and determine ways to promote coordination between parties.



                                                                                       Conservation Plan /Page 3 7








                      This need  was one of the driving forces behind the development of this plan. All parties
                      recognized the need to clearly state the seemingly redundant and overlapping mandates
                      and authorities of the federal and state agencies and to better define existing conservation
                      programs. Through this planning process, the regulatory and conservation roles and
                      responsibilities have been identified, documented and compiled into one document. Each
                      party was responsible for the review and inclusion of accurate and current information on
                      its program. Coordination. will need to become a priority for all parties involved in
                      order to communicate new information as it becomes available and to coordinate existing
                      programs most efficiently.

                      3.1     Document and clarify existing legislation and regLilations.

                              Existing legislation and regulations have been documented and compiled through
                              this planning process. A summary of federal legislation and regulations have
                              been described in the Introduction. The ESA is pending reauthorization at this
                              time and changes or amendments may result. It is doubtful, however, that
                              changes in federal legislation or regulations will affect the way implementation of
                              conservation plans at the state level unless these changes are drastic.

                              It is the responsibility of each partner to inform and update the other agency
                              partners as new or additional info regarding their legal roles and authority
                              becomes available. Any clarification or additional MOA's that may clarify legal
                              mandates should be communicated to all partners immediately in order to
                              maintain effective conservation programs.

                      3.2     Document and clarify agencies' responsibilities.

                              State and federal agency partners now have a clearer understanding of each
                              other's roles and responsibilities in the protection of these species as a result of
                              this planning process. Specifically at this point in time, legislation and regulation
                              define and document that VMRC at the state level and NNff S at the federal level
                              have regulatory responsibility for all marine life, including sea turtles and marine
                              mammals. When sea turtles are on land, however, VDGIF and USFWS assumes
                              regulatory responsibility for these species. Stranding therefore becomes an area
                              of joint concern. Accordingly, VNMC and NWS have responsibility for all
                              marine mammals except the manatee, for which VDGIF and USFWS share
                              responsibility. It is recommended that MOU's be developed between VDGIF,
                              VNMC, and VIMS clearly stating their roles and responsibilities as well as their
                              recognition of such roles and to foster a cooperative management program
                              between these agencies. VIMS's role is scientific and advisory and its
                              responsibilities are to support the conservation and management of sea turtles and
                              marine mammals in Virginia.



                                                                                           Conservation Plan I Pag e 38









                      3. 3    Document and -clarify existing federal, state, local, and academic programs.

                              Aside from the management activities of the government agencies, a n  umber of
                              governmental organizations have played and will hopefully continue to play a
                              critical role in Virginia's conservation efforts of sea turtles and marine mammals.
                              The Virginia Marine Science Museum has and should continue to provide
                              educational opportunities to Virginia residents and visitors alike. Their
                              contributions to the stranding network and research and other conservation efforts
                              are extremely important to Virginia's overall effort. The research and
                              conservation efforts of the academic institutions such as Christopher Newport
                              University, James Madison University, the Smithsonian Institution, and Virginia
                              Tech are also an invaluable part of the statewide effort to learn, analyze, evaluate
                              and record the new and existing information needed to conserve these species in
                              Virginia. The diverse, professional efforts of groups such as Center for Marine
                              Conservation are critical to Virginia efforts. Such conservation and academic
                              programs are encouraged and can be most beneficial to the Commonwealth if
                              they address the priorities and objectives identified in this plan as needed for the
                              state's program.

                      3.4     Identify ways to promote coordination and response.

                              Effective coordination and efficient response between and among agencies and
                              programs is critical to the delivery and implementation of this plan'in the
                              Commonwealth. It is incumbent upon each agency and program to communicate
                              any information which can assist in the implementation of another agency's
                              program.

                              Agency and organization contact persons should be established, this information
                              should be communicated to that respective agency staff as well as to the team.
                              This will provide for an effective communication network which can efficiently
                              transfer information within that agency/organization and amongst team members
                              as appropriate.

                              3.4.1 Develop action and   response plans, i.e. dead stranding, live stranding, and
                                     enforcement -protocol.

                                     Action and response plans need to be developed for each identified
                                     emergency need. Emergency needs include stranding (both live and dead
                                     sea turtles and marine mammals) and law enforcement and violation
                                     reporting.

                                     3.4.1.1.1      Develop and implement a dead and livo sea turtle and
                                                    marine mammal stranding action plan/protocol.


                                                                                        Conservation Plan IPage 39








                                                       It is recommended that key staff and contact persons from
                                                       affected agencies and organizations meet and draft an
                                                       emergency action plan for sea turtles and marine mammals
                                                       dead and live stranding. This could be accomplished as a
                                                       function and responsibility of the team or a smaller group
                                                       or individuals assigned the responsibility, but it should be
                                                       approved by the team and the 5 conservation agencies.

                                       3.4.1.2         DeveloR and implemeLit a violation enforcement and
                                                       reporting action plan/protocol.

                                                       A second emergency response plan should be developed to
                                                       address the need for effective and efficient law
                                                       enforcement and violation reporting response. All members
                                                       of each agency and organization's staff as well as key
                                                       public officials and the appropriate public should be
                                                       provided this information. It should be disseminated to
                                                       various interested and affected groups, i.e. volunteers,
                                                       commercial and recreational fisheries groups or
                                                       individuals, beachfront landowners, municipal officials
                                                       and staff, etc.


                       3.4.2   Develop and initiate MOA's or agreements among state and federal agencies, i.e.
                               Section-6 agreements,

                               Now that this research into the legal authorities and responsibilities has clarified
                               this issue, the responsible state agencies should officially recognize and state this
                               information in the form of formal interagency agreements or MOA's. Effective
                               law enforcement is a pressing problem with potential bycatch of healthy sea
                               turtles and marine mammals by certain commercial fisheries. The direct and
                               timely involvement of the appropriate agencies in enforcement of state and
                               federal laws relating to sea turtles and marine mammals can reduce or eliminate
                               these problems and is recommended in concert with public and user group
                               education.



                               3.4.2.1         Draft memorandum of understanding betw@en VN4RC, VDGI--F,
                                               and VIMS outlining these agencies' roles and responsibilities.

                                               It is recommended that an MOU be drafted through meetings and
                                               close coordination by the staff of VMRC, VDGIF and VIMS
                                               which clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of each of


                                                                                             Conservation Plan IPage 40









                                                   the 3 state agencies. This MOU should be distributed to team
                                                   members, and all agency staff involved. Because sea turtle and
                                                   marine mammal conservation activities span many divisions of
                                                   VURC and VDGIF, it is recommended that staff from each
                                                   affected division be involved in the drafting of the agreement and
                                                   that all staff of those divisionsbe informed.


                                  3.4.2.2          Draft an MOU between VDGIF and VE\4S covering ES
                                                   activities.


                                                   Since VDGIF maintains an active Section-6 agreement with
                                                   USFWS for ESA activities, VIMS activities need to be authorized
                                                   by VDGIF to perform its conservation work. It is recommended
                                                   that an MOU to be followed by annual letters of renewal to VIMS
                                                   upon receipt of VIMS reports. VMRC, USFWS, and NNTS will
                                                   be sent copies of these reports and accomplishment documentation
                                                   by VDGIF. This will ensure communication of activities during
                                                   that year.

                                  .).4.2.3         Draft a Section 6 agreement with NNES and VMRC. VWS and
                                                   VDGIF.


                                                   A Section-6 agreement will allow the transfer of authority for
                                                   endangered and threatened species management to the state of
                                                   Virginia for the purposes of sea turtle and marine mammal
                                                   conservation. It will also facilitate and provide additional funding
                                                   source for conservation efforts in the state. This agreement can
                                                   use as its basis the state MOU delineating responsibilities and can
                                                   be modeled after other state Section-6 agreements to fit Virginia
                                                   needs.


                         3.4.3    Establish E-mail and other systems of communication.

                                  Effective Communication systems will be essential to maintaining an effective
                                  state program. Several options of communication should be explored, including
                                  E-mail or Internet and the most effective one(s) implemented.

                                  1.4.3.1          Establish an E-mail or Internet system of communication.

                                                   Information posted on E-mail or Internet could be directly and
                                                   quickly accessible to all parties and should be considered.
                                                   Pressing issues, stranding, violation, and other timely program
                                                   activities could be provided by team members arid interested


                                                                                                   Conservation Plan I Page 41









                                                 parties.

                                3.4. 3. 2        Develop a correspondence copy -policy or protocol.

                                                 Another method of communicating timely or pressin        g issues is for
                                                 agencies and organizations to copy team members and/or
                                                 appropriate parties on correspondence. Specifically, comments on
                                                 environmental reviews and project impacts should be copied
                                                 between VMRC, VDGIF, and VIMS to coordinate and support
                                                 agency activities.

                       3.4.4,   Provide training workshQps

                                Workshops should be provided to agency staff, volunteers, and a wide variety of
                                affected pax-ties in order to gain their active participation in conservation
                                programs. In the past, VEYIS and VMSM provided such training workshops to
                                agency staff and others to improve sea turtle and marine mammal identification
                                and provide for more and accurate stranding reports. Such workshops and
                                training should continue and should focus on those groups most likely to
                                encounter stranded or breeding animals such as law enforcement, beach cleaning
                                officials, fisheries groups, etc.

               4       Improve and promote education and public participation.

                       4.1      Determine existing and potentiql educational programs a       nd groul2s.

                                Existing education programs in Virginia have been summarized in the
                                introduction. Research and compilation, of this information was the result of this
                                planning effort.

                                4.1.2   Potential educational programs and groups.

                                        Each partner and participating organization should continue to develop
                                        and promote the distribution of factual literature on sea turtles and marine
                                        mammals for the general public and special interest groups. Additional
                                        and new activities should be developed such as:

                                        Develop   a "what to do" brochure for dealing with strandings of sea turtles
                                        and marine mammals. This would include a list of contact people, phone
                                        numbers (e.g., law enforcement), and procedures for dealing with stranded
                                        individuals as a result of the action developed in 3.4. 1. Another brochure
                                        could deal with lighting modifications or measures to reduce hatchling
                                        disorientation and approach guidelines for marine mammals and other


                                                                                                Conservation Plan/ Page 42









                                        actions landowners or managers can do to help conserve sea turtles and
                                        marine mammals.


                                        Public participation in research and recovery activities (e.g., nesting
                                        surveys) along the coastline can be an effective tool. However, guidelines
                                        should be developed by the state resource agencies to provide for such
                                        participation. Among other things, criteria must address group size and
                                        frequency of surveys in order to maximize the effectiveness of survey and
                                        educational experience.

                                        Inventory existing and develop new brochures or fact sheets on laws
                                        governing the possession of sea turtle and marine mammal parts and
                                        perhaps details of recent changes in the Marine Mammal Protection Act,
                                        and distribute to appropriate public and private entities within the Coastal
                                        Plain. In addition, the brochures need to address the reasons for the
                                        development of the sea turtle and marine mammal conservation programs
                                        and marine protection laws. This brochure would have more focus than
                                        the general Virginia Wildlife issue and reprint developed by the Virginia
                                        Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

                                        Post information signs at public access points to important nesting beaches
                                        and marine mammal concentration areas with contact numbers,and other
                                        pertinent information. Public access points near nesting beaches provide
                                        an excellent opportunity to inform the public of necessary precautions for
                                        compatible public use on the nesting beach.

                        4.2     Identify and maintain communication with existing audiences and target new
                                audiences.


                                4.2.1   Develop and maintain communication and coordination with commercial
                                        fisherman.


                                        VMRC currently publishes a quarterly newsletter and should continue in
                                        order to effectively communicate and coordinate with commercial
                                        fisherman. Information on sea turtle'and marine mammal conservation
                                        should be provided through this effective means' Information from
                                        newsletters of Christopher Newport University, Virginia Marine Science
                                        Museum, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, etc., can be incorporated
                                        into this VMRC newsletter.


                                4.2.2   Develop and maintain ffective communication and coordination with
                                        recreational users.



                                                                                              Conservation Plan/ Page 43









                                       VMRC should expand communication and coordination regarding sea
                                       turtles and marine mammals with recreational fishermen by maintaining a
                                       current mailing list and developing a year-round newsletter. Presently, the
                                       Saltwater Review is published during summer months. Publishing
                                       additional issues will allow for more effective dissemination of current
                                       information and policy changes and can be used to inform recreational
                                       fisherman on sea turtle and marine mammal issues.


                               4.2.3   Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                       legislators.


                                       Organizations should develop and maintain communication and
                                       coordination with appropriate legislative committees through providing
                                       annual updates on current research efforts and management practices.
                                       This approach will facilitate funding and public education opportunities.

                               4.2.4   Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with tht
                                       media.


                                       Target newspapers more closely associated with coastal areas and any
                                       smaller newspapers in the lower, middle and upper peninsula.
                                       Disseminate news briefs on the management plan to interested city editors
                                       of leading newspapers.

                               4.2.5   Develop and maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                       other potential supporters.

                                       Developand maintain effective communication and coordination with
                                       other interest groups such as local environmental groups by i    ncluding
                                       these groups on mailing lists and keeping them informed of volunteer
                                       opportunities that are available. This expanded network of public
                                       education and coordination with the private sector (e.g. whale watching
                                       industry) can be kept informed through, newsletters from Christopher
                                       Newport College, the Virginia Marine Science Museum, the Virginia
                                       Institute of Marine Science, Center for Marine Conservation, and other
                                       publications. Through information presented in the appropriate format to
                                       both the public and private sector can contribute to the recovery efforts
                                       and reduce the potential for harassment of marine mammals and sea
                                       turtles at-the same time,


                       4. 3    Identify ways to promote and improve information dissemination.

                               This could be a future effort of the management team. In the future, most


                                                                                              Conservation Plan /Page 44









                               information will be available by computers, therefore, continue to develop the
                               VDGIF dial-up system to access sea turtle and marine mammal information.
                               Information cal also be posted on computer bulletin boards (e.g., Internet,
                               CompuServe) so classrooms, the public, and private groups can access current
                               educational and-research efforts.


                               4.3 ). I Identif-                                         i e information.
                                               appropriate media and distribute a1212ropr at

                                      Local coastal news media contacts should be identified and kept informed.

                               4.3.2  Develop new publications, posters. and brochures.

                                      Develop videotapes to be disseminated in coastal areas pertaining to sea
                                      turtle and marine mammal issues. A videotape for educational 'purposes
                                      has been developed by VDGIF through a Department of Environmental
                                      Quality NOAA grant. Videotapes should be made available and
                                      encouraged to be used at public educational facilities in coastal areas.

                               4. 3. 3Develop timely and effective data exchange between agencies and
                                      organizations.


                               -      The Virginia Marine Science Museum now sends VDGIF locational data
                                      on several marine mammal species. VDGIF is producing maps which will
                                      be used in environmental project reviews and for display purposes at the
                                      Aquarium. Similar maps are also being produced for the most abundant
                                      sea turtles species in Virginia in cooperation with VIMS.

                                      Each non-governmental organization should send copies of their
                                      newsletter and appropriate correspondences to each other and to all
                                      regulatory agencies to keep them properly informed. E-mail procedures
                                      can assist in more rapid and widespread information dissemination
                                      between federal and state agencies as well as other organizations.

                                      Sea turtle and marine mammal workshops should be organized to bring
                                      together research and educators for information sharing. Workshops
                                      should emphasize research conducted in Virginia and other mid-Atlantic
                                      states. For students, research information is scarce at local libraries and
                                      bringing together the "experts" and the educator would fulfill a vacant
                                      niche for students.


                      4.4      Determine ways to improve public participation.

                               Many creative programs exist nationwide which could be employed in Virginia.


                                                                                           Conservation Plan I Page 45









                           Such options include:

                           Schools and other organizations can partici pate in an "Adopt-a-Program" for
                           marine mammals. Since bottleno'se dolphins have been well photographed and
                           identified, a pictorial could be developed describing the individuals. This
                           pictorial could be in a computer format. Information on individuals could be sent
                           to student on calving frequency and presence/absence data, etc. Teachers are
                           interested in acquiring empirical data to reinforce the scientific method.

                           Dev elop a coastal area art contest on sea turtles and marine mammals. The art
                           could be converted into a poster or calendar and be sold as a fundraiser product.







































                                                                               Conservation Plan I Page 46







                 ILITERATURE CITED

                  Baker, C. S., L. A Herman, B. G. Bays, and G. B. Bauer. 1983. The impact of vessel traffic on the behavior of
                            humpback whales in Southeast Alaska: 1982 season. Report submitted to the National Marine Mammal
                            Laboratory, NNTS, Seattle, Washington. 30 pp.

                  Baker, C. S., A. Perry, and G. Vequist. 1988. Humpback whales of Glacier Bay, Alaska. Whalewatcher. Fall: 13-17.

                  Balazs, G. H. 1979. Loggerhead turtle recovered from a tiger shark at Kure Atoll. 'Elepaio 39:145-147.

                  Balazs, G. H. 1982. Driftnets catch leatherback turtles. Oryx 16(5):428-430.

                  Balazs,G.H. 1985. Impact of ocean debris on marine turtle: entanglement andingestion. Pp.387-429inShomuraand
                            Yoshida (eds.), Proceedings of the Workshop on the Fate and Impact of Marine Debris, Honolulu, Hawaii.
                            NOAA Technical Memorandum, NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC-54.

                  Barco, S. G., W. M. Swingle, M. C. Vang, and T. D. Pitchford. 1993. Juvenile humpback whales returning to the
                            nearshore waters of Virginia. Tenth Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marin Mammals, November 11-15,
                            Galveston, Texas.

                  Barnard, D. E., J. A. Keinath, and J. A. Musick. 1989. Distribution of ridley, green, and leatherback turtles in Chesapeake
                            Bay and adjacent waters, Pp. 201-203 in Eckert, Eckert, and Richardson (compilers), Proceedings of the 9th
                            Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation Biology. NOAA Tech. Mem. NNES-SEFC-232.

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                            California Press, Berkeley.

                   Wells, Jr., H. W., S. J. Katsanos, and F. H. Flanigan. 1983. In An introduction to the Chesapeake Bay: a framework for
                            action. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program.

                   Wiley, D. N., J. C. Jahoda, R_ A. Asmutis, D. Simser, 1. Baab, and M. Martin. 1993. Winter distribution of cetaceans and
                            human activity in coastal waters of the mid-Atlantic states. Presented at the Tenth Biennial Conference on the
                            Biology of Marine Mammals, Galveston, Texas, November 1993.

                   Wiley, D. N., R_ A. Asmutis, T. D. Pitchford, and D. P. Gannon. 1995. Stranding and mortality of the humpback whale,
                            Meagpteranovaeangliae, in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions of the United States (1985-1992). Fisheries
                            Bulletin 93:196-205.


                   Witham, R. 1974. Neonate sea turtles from the stomach of a pelagic fish. Copeia 1974(2):548.

                   Witham, R. 1981. Disruption of sea turtle habitat with emphasis on human influence. Pp. 519-522 in Bjomdal (ed.)
                            Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.

                   Year 2020 Panel. 1988. Population growth and development in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the year 2020:
                            summary. Report to the Chesapeake Executive Council.

                   Young, N. M., S. L. Iudicello, K. Evans, and D. Baur. 1993. The incidental capture of marine mammals in U.S. fisheres.
                            Center for Marine Conseration, Washington, D.C. 415 pp.










                                                                                                             Conservation Plan I Page 55









               IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE




               TASK NAME                                        PRIORITY       FY I                 I`Y2                 FY 3                  FY 4                 FY 5                 DURATION                        COMMENT


               1.1.1 Abundance/Distribution                     1              $50,000              $50,000              $50,000               $50,000              $50,000              annual surveys                  contracte
               1.1 .2 Age-Class Structure                       11             $35,000              $35,000              $35,000               $35,000              $35,000                                              contract
               1.1.3 Genetics, Stock                            11             $50,000              $50,000              $50,000               $50,000              $50,000                                              existing s
               1.1.4 Mortality Rates                            1              $50,000              $50,000              $50,000               $50,000              $5O,000              annually                        contract
               1.1.5 Health, Disease, Parasatism                11            $20,000              $20,000              $20,000               $20,000              $20,000              2-3 yr. study                   annuallen
               1.2.1 Feeding Ecology                            11             $50,000              $50,000              $50,000               $50,000              $50,000              3-5 yr. study                   contract
               1.2.2 Habitat Utilization                        11             $50,000              $50,000              $50,000               $50,000              $50,000              3-5 yr. study                   contract
               2.1 Habitat Alteration, Loss                     11             NAf R                NAFR                 NAf R                 NAFR                 NAFR                 annual (incl. env. review)      existing s
               2.2 Fisheries                                    1              $150,000             $150,000             $150,000              $150'00O             $150,000             95 & annual monitoring          law enf.,observors,&contract
               2.3 Military Activities                          1              $25,000              $25,000              $25,000               $25,000              $25,000              2 yrs.                          annual monitoring
               2.4 Commercial, Recreation Activities            1              $25,000              $25,000              $2S,000               $25,000              $25,000              2 yrs.                          with annual monitoring
               2.5 Other Intentional Acts                       1              $5,000               $5,000               $5,000                $5,000               $5,000               annual                          ongoing work of existing staff&coordinator
               3.1 Clarify Legislation                          1              $0                   $0                   $0                    $0                   $0                   init. inventory complete        NAI` R-con
               3.2 Document Agency Responsibilities             1              $0                   $0                   $0                    $0                   $0                   provide annual updates          staff coordination
               3.3 Document Existing Programs                   1              $0                   $0                   $0                    $0                   $0                   provide annual updates          contract
               3.4 Promote Coordination                         1              $30,000              $30,000              $30,000               $30,000              $30,000              annual                          contract
               4.1 Education Programs, Groups                   11             $10,000              NAFR                 NAFR                  NAI` R               NAf R                annual                          FYI-initial inventory, annual updates
               4.2 Communication with Audience                  11             $5,000               $5,000               $5,000                $5,000               $5,000               annual                          ongoing work of existing staff& coordinator
               4.3 Information Dissemination                    11             $5,000               $5,000               $5,000                $5'000               $5,000               annual                          ongoing work of existing staff& coordinator
               4.4 Improve Public Participation                 11             $5,000               $5'000               $5'000                $5,000               $5,000               annual                          ongoing work of existing staff&coordinator

                                                                                                       NAFR      no additional funding required


														Conservation Plan/Page 56



  I
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  1 -1
I I
  I


  I
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  I
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  I                                   Appendix A. Sea Turtle Stranding Forms
  I
  I   I
  I
  I                                              -
  I                                           -
  I
  I
  I








       MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING REPORT                                                            SID#
                                                                                                      (NMFS USE)
       FIELD   NO.:                              NMFS REGISTRATION NO.

       COMMON NAME:                        GENUS:                            SPECIES:

       EXAMINER
       Name:,                                   Agency:                                Phone:
       Address:


       LOCATION                                 TYPE OF OCCURRENCE
         ate:            County:                Mass,Stranding: (Yes) / (No)          Animals
                                                Human Interaction: (Yes) / (No)
       Scity:                                    Check one: -1. Boat collision
                                                              -2. Shot
       Locality   Details:                                    -3. Fishery interaction
                                                              -4. Other

                                                    How determined:



                                                Other Causes (if known):

       *Latitude:                             N

       *Longitude:                          -W


       DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION:                         DATE OF*EXAMINATION:
       yx              Mo               Day                 Yr               Mo              Day
       CONDITION: Check one:-1.Alive                        CONDITION: Check one:-1.Alive
                                -2.Fresh dead                                         -2.Fresh dead
                                -3.Moderate decomp.                                   -3.Moderate decomp.
                                -4.Advanced decomp.                                   -4.Advanced decomp.
                                -5.Mummified                                          -S.Mummified
                                     Unknown                                          -? Unknown


       LIVE ANIMAL - Condition and Disposition:             TAGS APPLIED?: (Yes)         (No)
       Check one    - I.Released at site                    TAGS PRESENT?: (Yes)         (No)
         or more:   -2.Sick
                    -3.Injuied                                            Dorsal        Left       Right
                    -4.Died
                    -5.Euthanized                            ag No.(s):
                    -6.Rehabilitated     and released
                      ? Unknown                             Color(s):
       Tzansported-to                                       Type:
       (Died)     (Released) Date:                          Placement                 Fiont/Reaz Front/Reaz

       CARCASS     Disposition, check one:                      MORPHOLOGICAL DATA:
       Check one:   -1.Left at site                             Sex - Check one: -I.Male
                    -2.Buried                                                       -2.Female
                    -3.Towed                                                        -7 Unknown
                    -4.Sci. collection (see below)
                    -5.Edu. collection (see below)               traight Length:               (cm)/'(in)/(est)
                    -6.Othez
                                                                *Weight:              (kg)/(lb)/(est?)

                    -? Unknown                                  PHOTOS TAKEN? (Yes)         (No)
       INECROPSIED? (Yes) / (No)

       REMARKS:






       DISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL:



                                                                          It is estimated that completion
       *Record data if available                                          of this form requires 20 minutes.

       OMB#0648-0178, expires 01/31/94 tr 1992-630-1633









                             PROTOCOL FOR EVALUATING HUMAN INTERAC7IONS WITH
                                                     MARINE MAMMALS


          FIELD NO.                                                          CATALOG NO.


          SPECIES                                                            OBSERVATION DATE


          EXAMINER                                                           PHOTOS TAKEN: YES/ NO


          CARCASS CONDITION ? Smithsonian Institution Scale (1-5)

          A. EXTERNAL SIGNS


          Body condition? ROBUST             EMACIATED                CBD'a'          MEN

          External marks ? YES               NO -                    CBD             N/E

                      Describe (net/line or other obvious marks):



          Penetrating wounds (marks, punctures, cuts) ? PRESENT             ABSENT

                      Characterize wounds:





          Mutilation:
                      Bodies slit ?          YES          NO              CBD              N/E


                      Describe:



                      Missing appendanges ? YES            NO               CBD            N/E

                      Describe:




          Scavenger damage ?                 YES           NO               CBD            N/E

                      Describe:






                     [a] CM - CA=m ]k DewrminW, N/E Na E=mivAW





     			STRANDING AND SALVAGE NETWORK-STRANDING REPORT    
                                                                                                                
  PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND FILL IN ALL APPLICABLE BLANKS. Use codes below. Measurements may be straight line
    (caliper) and/or over the curve (tape measure). Measure length from the center of the nuchol notch to the tip of the most
       PoSterior marginal. Measure width of the widest point of carapace. CIRCLE THE UNITS USED. See diagram below. Please
       ive a specific location description. INCLUDE LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE.


  Observr's Full Name                                                                        Stranding Date
                                                                                                          year               month    day
  Addres / Affiliation

       roe Code     Phone Number


   Species                                                               -Turtle Number By Da y
  llibility of 1. D.: (CIRCLE)      Unsure        Probable       Positive        Species Verified by State Coordinator? Yes No   
Sex: (CIRCLE)        Female        Male       Undetermined              How was sex determined?
  Ito to                                                  County

      Location (be specific and include closest town)



       titude                                                      Longitude

  Condition of Turtle (use codes)                                  Final Disposition of Turtle (use codes)

       Tag Number(s) (include tog return address and disposition of tog)
  marks (note if turtle was involved with tor or oil, gear or debris entanglement, wounds or mutilations, propellor damage,
  papillomos, epizoo, etc.) continue on bock if necessary







                                                                                                            CODES:
       MEASUREMENTS: CIRCLE UNITS                                                              SPECIES:
                                                                                                CC     =Loggerhead
      Straight Length                        cm/in                                              CM     =Green
                                                                                                DC     =Leatherback
       Straight Width                         cm/in                                             El      =Hawksbill
  I                                                                          Nuchal                    LK=Kemp's ridley
    Curved Length                            cm/in                           Notch              LIN    =Unidentified

       urved Width                           cm/in                                           CONDITION OF TURTLE:
                                                                                                       0 =Alive
                                                                                                       I =Fresh dead
                                                                                                       2 =Moderately decomposed
                                                                                                       3 =Severely decomposed
                                                                                                       4 =Dried carcass
  Mark 
        wounds,                                                                                     5 =Skeleton, bones only
       abnormalities,
       and, tag locations                                                                     FINAL DISPOSITION OF TURTLE:
                                                                                                       I=Pointed, left on beach
  
















                                                                                                       2=Buried: on beach / off beach
                                                                                                       3 =Salvaged specimen: all / port
                                                                                                       A =Pulled up on beach or dune
                                     Posterior                                                         5=Unpainted, left on beach
                                     Marginal   Ti p                                                   6=Alive, released
                                                                                                       7 =Alive, taken to a holding facility

































                          Appendix B. Maps of Sea Turtles Strandings in Virginia By Species



                                      M M mmm M M m MON M M




                                Dermochelys coriacea: Leatherback Sea Turtle












                                                                                                                        LEGEND

                                                                                                                        [ï¿½_10bSeTvation or Stranding





















                                                                                                             IL5  0  t2h is  37.5 bo im.ew.




                               H DEPT. Of GAYLY AND INLAND PISMIRS         -WORKING DRAFT-
                               IFIS tz _,5 _I 994








                                                   Caretta caTetta: Loggerhead Sea Turtle,







                                                                                                                        t





                                                                                                                                                                                          LEGEND

                                                                                                                                                                                           006servation or Siranding





















                                                                                                                                                                          IL6    0    124   is     373   60 KRd





                                                  VA DEPV. OF CANN AND INLAND FISHNAUS
                                                                                                                     -WORKING DRAFT-







                                Lepidochelys kempi: Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle












                                                                                                                       LEGEND

                                                                                                                      0 Observation or Stranding



















                               VA DBPT._OP_CAMI AND IMLAND FISHIA128      -WORKING DRAFT-
                               PUS   02 06 1096-








                                Chelonia mydasa: Atlantic Creen Sea Turtle












                                                                                                                      L E GEIVD

                                                                                                                      ElObservation Or Stranding





















                                                                                                           IL6 0   UA 25    .6 10 lm.@'.




                              F1 DIPt. OF CAME AND INLAND FISHIRINS      -WORKINC          DRAFT-








                               Phocoena phocoena: harbor porpoise













                                                                                                                     LE GEIVD

                                                                                                                     ElObservation or Siranding





















                                                                                                          lu   0  2.5 is  37.6 bg V..t




                              VA DSPF. Of CAME AND INLAND FISHRAIRS      -WORKINC DRAFT-
                              FWIS of _22_, 996








                                                    Balaenoptera physalus: fin whale












                                                                                                                                                                                                L E CEATD

                                                                                                                                                                                                ElObservation or Stranding





















                                                                                                                                                                               IL5    0     UA    is      .5   60 Im.d..




                                                   VA DEPT. Of CAMN AND INLAND PISHERIES                                -WORKING DRAFT-
                                                  Iris       of _Z 2  1996








                                                             Cy s top ho r a c r is t at a.:                                                                   h o o d e d s e a












                                                                                                                                                                                                                              LE GEND

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ElObservation or Siranding





















                                                                                                                                                                                                          11.5    0      12A    to      3 .6   50 IM.O..




                                                           Yl DRPV. Of OAKS ASA IMLAMB FISHERIBS                                          -WORKINC DRAFT-
                                                          FFIS of         _2 1   19  9 6








                               Balaenoptera acutorostrat: minke whale











                                                                                                                      LEGEND

                                                                                                                      0 Observation or Stranding





















                                                                                                                0  9.6  is  31.5



                               YJ I)fPf._O?_GAMI AND INLAND FISHERINS     -WORKING          DRAFT-
                              FFIS Of 29 1996








                              Clobicephala sp.: pilot whale












                                                                                     A.                         LE CEND

                                                                                                                ElObservation or Stranding


















                             VA DRPF._OF_GAMN AND INLAND FISHBRINS    -WORKING         DRAFT-
                             Ms of 22    ,996








                                Stenella frontalis: spotted dolphin












                                                                                                                    LECEND

                                                                                                                    ElObservation or Stranding





















                                                                                                                 U   it  37J  Kl-d,.,.



                              VA Axpr.-OP-0491 AMD IMIA" FiSHRAIRS      -WORKINC          DRAFT-







                                                                                                                      NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CTR LIBRARY



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