Sea Turtles
There are five species of sea turtles that are found in the Gulf of Mexico: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretomoochelus imbricate), and leatherback (Dermochelyz coriacea). All five species are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA, NOAA – Office of Protected Resources(OPR)). A Biological Opinion for the stone crab fishery was conducted in 2009 to evaluate the effects of the fishery on threatened or endangered species. The authors concluded that continued operation of the stone crab fishery was not likely to adversely affect sea turtles.
Smalltooth Sawfish
Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) are elasmobranchs, which is a group of fishes that includes sharks, skates, and rays. They occur in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean and are most commonly found off the southern tip of Florida (Florida Museum of Natural History, NOAA – OPR). They are listed as endangered and bycatch in various fisheries is listed as the main threat and the reason for decline of the species. However, based on the 2009 Biological Opinion, stone crab fishing is not likely to adversely affect the smalltooth sawfish population in Florida.
Acropora Corals
Elkhorn and staghorn corals ( spp.) are branching corals that are listed as endangered throughout their range in the Southern Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico (NOAA OPR – Staghorn Coral, NOAA OPR-Elkhorn Coral). The EFH amendment notes that while stone crab traps are often associated with corals, traps are not placed on coral, rather nearby. Both have experienced drastic population reduction since the 1980s, and threats include disease, hurricanes, predation, bleaching, algae overgrowth, sedimentation, and temperature and salinity variation. Because stone crabs may inhabit coral reefs, and traps may be set near corals the 2009 Biological Opinion also evaluated the effects of the fishery on Acropora corals. It concluded that the fishery is not likely adversely affect critical habitat for Acropora because most fishing occurs outside the critical habitat and the affects a trap would have on Acropora would be insignificant (Biological Opinion 2009).
Previous: Ecosystem Considerations Next: Derelict Traps