Successful conservation of sea turtles relies heavily on safeguarding the habitats they use throughout their lives. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have been the focus of extraordinary conservation efforts since the 1960’s; they are the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world and multiple research projects have been dedicated to studying the behaviors and habitats of this species. With the help of satellite tracking, various projects have shed light on the importance of nearshore waters to adult Kemp’s ridleys in the Gulf of Mexico. Nearshore waters are relatively shallow waters close to land and are among the most productive areas in the world. Protecting these waters is a crucial part of ongoing conservation efforts as they are vital to virtually every stage of Kemp’s ridleys lives.
After drifting with currents for their first year of life, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles migrate to different areas to meet different requirements (mating, nesting, foraging, etc.), and remain within these waters throughout the remainder of their life history. This information emphasizes the importance of protecting nearshore waters throughout the year. While more research and work remains to be done, previous research has been essential to developing regulations to protect vital marine habitats within the nearshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
References: Shaver, D.J. & C. Rubio. 2008. Post-nesting movement of wild and head-started Kemp's ridley sea turtles Lepidochelys kempii in the Gulf of Mexico. Endangered Species Research 4:43-55. Shaver, D.J., K.M. Hart, I. Fujisaki, C. Rubio, A.R. Sartain, J. Peña, P.M. Burchfield, D. Gomez Gamez, & J. Ortiz. 2013. Foraging area fidelity for Kemp's ridleys in the Gulf of Mexico. Ecology and Evolution 3:2002-2012. Shaver, D.J., K.M. Hart, I. Fujisaki, C. Rubio, A.R. Sartain-Iverson, J. Peña, D. Gomez Gamez, R. de Jesus Gonzales Diaz Miron, P.M. Burchfield, H.J. Martinez, & J. Ortiz. 2015. Migratory corridor of adult female Kemp’s ridley turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. Biological Conservation 194:158-167. Shaver, D.J., K.M. Hart, I. Fujisaki, D. Bucklin, A.R. Iverson, C. Rubio, T.F. Backof, P.M. Burchfield, R. de Jesus Gonzales Diaz Miron, P.H. Dutton, A. Frey, J. Peña, D. Gomez Gamez, H.J. Martinez, & J. Ortiz. 2017. Inter-nesting movements and habitat-use of adult females Kemp’s ridley turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. PLOS ONE 12: e0174248. |
Last updated: August 14, 2018