(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S

OTHER COMMON NAMES - TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S;BASTAARDSCHILDPAD;BASTARD-SCHILDKROTE;BATARDE TORTUE;CAHUAMA;COTORRA;LOGGERHEAD, MEXICAN;LORA;PERICA;RIDLEY, ATLANTIC;RIDLEY, CARIBBEAN;RIDLEY, GULF;RIDLEY, KEMP'S;RIDLEY, MEXICAN;TORTUE BATARDE;TORTUGA BASTARDA;TORTUGA LORA;TURTLE, BASTARD;TURTLE, BASTARD, KEMP'S;TURTLE, PARROT;TURTLE, RIDLEY, KEMP'S;TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, ATLANTIC;ZEESCHILDPAD and KEMP'S

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Reptiles

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - TESTUDINES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CHELONIIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - LEPIDOCHELYS,

SPECIES AND SSP - KEMPII,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys kempii (Garman, 1880)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Testudines FAMILY: Cheloniidae

Kemp's Ridley is the smallest of the sea turtles. Adults
range in carapace length from 22.2 inches to 28.6 inches (56.5 to 72.5
centimeters) and in weight from 70.4 to 108.5 pounds (32 to 49.3
kilograms). It has a flattened heart-shaped and exceedingly broad
carapace between 20 and 28 inches long, at least in immatures it is
often as broad as long. There are five pairs of costal (lateral or
pleural) scutes and the anterior most costals touch the nuchal. There
are four enlarged inframarginal scutes on the bridge between the
carapace and the plastron and each inframarginal bears a posterior
pore which penetrates into the underlying bone. The head is broad and
there are two pairs of prefrontal scales. The beak is parrot-like.
The color ranges from light gray to grayish brown or even an olive
green. The plastron is white or yellowish. Subadults look alike
externally. The adult males tail extends beyond the rear edge of the
shell while adult females tail barely extends beyond this edge (01).
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

The hatchlings range in carapace length from 1.5 inches to 1.9
inches (38 to 48 millimeters) and in weight from 13.5 to 21 grams.
On the carapace there are three well-developed longitudnal ridges
and on the plastron there are four. The color is black to blackish
gray dorsally and ventrally with some lighter markings; the most
conspicuous is on the trailing edge of the flippers. The description
is compiled from Pritchard and Marquez (01), Carr (02), and Ernst and
Barbour (03).
The species was described in 1880 by Garman (04) as
Thalassochelys (Colpochelys) kempii. Garman recognized the close
relationship of the Ridley and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) by
placing them in the same genus. The following illustrates treatments
of the scientific name found in the literature (39):

Thalassochelys kempi Garman, 1880.
Colpochelys kempii Garman, 1880; Grusse, 1970.
Thalassochelys (Colpochelys) kempii Garman, 1884.
Lepidochelys kempii Baur, 1890.
Lepidochelys kempi Hay, 1908.
Caretta kempii Siebenrook, 1909.
Colpochelys kempi Deraniyagala, 1930.
Lepidochelys olivacea kempi Deraniyagala, 1939.
Caretta kempi Stejneger and Barbour, 1939 (40).
Lepidochelys olivacea kempii Mertens and Wermuth, 1955.
Lepidochelys olivacea cempii Peters, 1967 (an erroneous
subsequent spelling without
nomenclatural status).
Chelonia olivaccea Velasco, 1892 (an erroneous subsequent
spelling without nomenclatural status).

Lepidochelys is the generic name used by recent authors (01,02,
03,05,06) for Kemp's Ridley. Nevertheless, it has been put in the
same tribe, Carettini, with the loggerhead (06,07).
The other taxonomic dispute involves the relationship of Kemp's
Ridley with its Pacific congener, L. olivacea. Pritchard (08) has
convincingly supported the designation of L. kempi as a valid species.
As an example the literature on the species has been compiled in the
following synonymy of usage in Texas:

1915 Caretta kempi Strecker, Baylor Bull. 18(4):14.
1950 Lepidochelys kempi Brown, An annotated checklist of the
reptiles and amphibians of Texas. Baylor Univ. Studies
1950:258.
1972 Lepidochelys olivacea kempi Raun and Gelbach, amphibians
and reptiles of Texas. Dallas Mus. Nat. Hist. 2:15.

The type specimen is located in the Museum of Comparative Zoology
at Harvard University. The original type locality was the Gulf of
Mexico. Smith and Taylor (09) restricted it to Key West, FL.
Synonyms for the common name Kemp's Ridley sea turtle include:
Atlantic Ridley sea turtle, Atlantic Ridley, Bastaardschildpad
(Dutch), Bastard-schildkrote (German), bastard turtle, batarde tortue
(Mexican), cahuama, Caribbean Ridley, cotorra, Gulf Ridley, Kemp's
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

bastard turtle, Kemp's Ridley turtle, Kemp's Ridley, Kemp's
zeeschildpad, Mexican Ridley, Mexican loggerhead, lora, perica
(Mexican), tortue batarde (Mexican), tortuga bastarda (Cuban), parrot
turtle, and tortuga lora (41).

Taxonomy - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Alabama; Federal Endangered
Alabama; Unofficially Listed

Florida; Federal Endangered
Florida; Officially Listed
Georgia; Federal Endangered
Georgia; State Listed
Louisiana; Federally Endangered
Louisiana; State Recognized

Maryland; Federal Endangered
Maryland; State Recognized

Mississippi; Federal Endangered
Mississippi; State Listed

North Carolina; Federal Endangered
North Carolina; State Listed

South Carolina; Federal Endangered
South Carolina; State Listed

Virginia; Federal Endangered
Virginia; State Listed

E: Federal Endangered

Commercial
Commercial/consumption
Aphrodisiac

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR, Sec. 17.11). The species has
Endangered status wherever found.
This species is also protected by the Lacey Act, as amended in
1981. Under this Act it is prohibited to import, export, sell,
receive, acquire, purchase or engage in the interstate or foreign
commerce of any plant or animal taken, possessed, or sold in violation
of any law, or any law or regulation of any State.
The Pelly Amendment to the Fisherman's Protective Act provides
for economic sanctions that can be used to influence foreign nations
to fish in a manner which will not decrease the "living resources of
the sea."
The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 has the objective "to
preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore and enhance
the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding
generations. "
The Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 asserts
management authority in an exclusive fishery conservation zone 200
miles wide over fish and "all other forms of marine life."
The Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
creates marine sanctuaries in water areas above the continental shelf.
As of 1986, three have been designated that potentially protect sea
turtles and their habitat.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
provide for the control and regulation of ocean discharges or dumping.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 provides for the
conducting of studies of the environmental effects of leasing
operations outside of State jurisdictions (three miles from the
mainland).
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, The National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, and The Refuge
Recreation Act of 1972 provide the funds and administrative
provisions that can be used to acquire and protect sea turtle nesting
habitat.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

NMFS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species while the
turtles are at sea. The National Marine Fisheries
Service is the lead agency and has primary
jurisdiction while the species are in the water
(50 CFR 222.23(a) and 227.4).
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, and law
enforcement/protection of this species and has
jurisdiction while the turtles are on land (i.e.,
nesting) (50 CFR 222.23(a) and 227.4).
MMS -Responsible for the protection of this species with
applicable State and Federal laws on Outer Continental
Shelf lands under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery and adherence to the regulations
of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act with the
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

National Marine Fisheries Service.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Park Service lands.

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species (50 CFR 402) and
to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Alabama
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
UNOFFICIAL LIST: -Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of
Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural
History, No. 2; Oct. 15, 1976;
-Mount, R.H. (ed.). 1986. Vertebrate animals
of Alabama in need of special attention. Ala.
Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn Univ. 124 pp.

STATE: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts,
Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Texas, and Virgina.
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: -CT Dept. of Environ. Protection;
-FL Dept. of Nat. Resour.;
-GA Game and Fish Div., Dept. of Nat.
Resour.;
-MA Div. of Fish. and Wildl.;
-MS Dept. of Wildl. Conserv.;
-NJ Dept. of Environ. Protection;
-NY State Dept. of Environ. Conserv.;
-NC Wildl. Resour. Comm.;
-SC Wildl. and Marine Resour. Dept.;
-TX Fish. and Wildl. Dept., TX Parks and
Wildl. Dept.;
-VA Comm. of Game and Inland Fish.
STATE STATUTE: CT - CT Gen. Stat. Annot., Sec. 26-40 (d),
26-40 (e).
FL - FL Endangerd and Threatened Species Act of
1977, FL Stat. Annot., Sec. 370.12, Ch.
74 20, Sec. 372.072.
GA - Game and Fish Code, Sec 27-3-130 to
27-3-132.
MA - Nongame Wildlife, Sec. III, 1983.
MS - Public Notice No. 2156, Eff. Sept. 1,1981.
NJ - NJ Admin. Code 7:25-11.2, Eff. Mar. 29,
1979.
NY - 6 NY Code, Rules and Regs. 182.5, Eff.
Apr. 30, 1983. Conserv. Law Sec. 11-0536-6.
Status - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

NC - 15 NC Admin. Code 10 I .0003, Eff.
July 28, 1979. Gen. Stat. - Sub-ch. 101 -
Endangered and Threatened species.
SC - Regs. 123-150.
TX - 31 TX Admin. Code, Sec. 57.133
(127.30.09.003), July 1977. Park and
Wildl. Laws Sec. 978 d - 1.
VA - Code of VA, Sec. 29-230 to 29-237.

STATE: Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, and
Rhode Island.
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: -DE Div. of Fish and Wildl.;
-LA Dept. of Wildl. and Fish.;
-ME Dept. of Marine Resour.;
-MD Dept. of Nat. Resour., MD Forest, Park
and Wildl. Serv.;
-NH Fish and Game Dept.;
-RI Dept. of Environ. Mngmt., Div. of
Fish.
STATE STATUTE: DE - 7 DE Code Annot., Sec. 601.
LA - LA Stat. Annot. 56:1901 to 56:1907.
ME - ME Rev. Stat. Annot., Sec. 7001,
7751-7756.
MD - MD Nat. Resour. Code Annot., Sec. 4-2A-01
to 4-2A-09, 10-2A-01 to 10-2A-09; Code of MD
Regs. 08.03.01.43, Supp. 4.
NH - NH Code of Admin. Rules Fis 1001.01,
1001.02, Eff. Apr. 28, 1980.
RI - Gen. Laws of RI, Sec 20-37-1 to 20-37-5.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The Kemp's Ridley, or Atlantic Ridley, sea turtle (Lepidochelys
kempii) is listed as Endangered in the International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red Data Book
(47); and the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. This species
is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The species is
also listed as Endangered in Mexico's Lista de especies marinas en
peligro de extincion en Mexico, preparada por el Instituto Nacional
de Pesca, Division de Biologia Pesquera, de la Secretaria de Industria
y Comercio, 1973. A cooperative Mexican - U.S. programme is in
progress, involving relocation of nests to Padre Island, TX;
headstarting of hatchlings; further protection of the nesting beach;
and research on fishing gear designed to exclude turtles from trawls.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle has had commercial and subsistence
value for its meat, skin, and eggs. The eggs are also believed by
some to be an aphrodisiac.

70/07/30:35 FR 12222/12225 - Proposed listing as Endangered
Status - 4 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

70/12/02:35 FR 18319/18322 - Listing as Endangered
77/02/22:42 FR 10461/10488 - Implementation of/listing in CITES
79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29577 - Status review
84/11/09:49 FR 44774/44775 - Status review; Notice of availability
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
87/03/02:52 FR 06179/06199 - NOAA Shrimp Trawler Requirements
87/06/29:52 FR 24244/24262 - Final rule - Shrimp Trawler Requirements

Status - 5 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC
COASTAL
OCEANIC

LAND USE -
Bays and Estuaries
Beaches

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES

NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC

Estuarine, subtidal UB3
Estuarine, subtidal
Marine, intertidal BB2
Marine, subtidal UB
Marine, subtidal OW0
Marine, subtidal

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The principal nesting beach for the Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys
kempii) is located near the upper section of the Tropic of Cancer,
between the mouths of the San Rafael River and the Sand bar of
Ostionales and 4 km east of the village of Rancho Nuevo, Aldama,
Tamaulipas, Mexico (32). The reproductive site is described as:
"The dune itself is well vegetated with a climax community of shrubs,
scrub and small trees. Neither berm nor dune vegetation appears to
hinder nesting turtles" (38). Occasional nesting has been reported
at Padre Island, TX and southern Veracruz, Mexico (45). If nesting
in the United States occurs, it is on high energy sand beaches (17)
most notably in the vicinity of Padre Island, TX.
There are two conflicting opinions about the distribution and
migrations of the Kemp's Ridley. One is that the hatchlings are
carried into the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream and when they reach New
England they become active swimmers and make a return to the Gulf (01)
of Mexico before they are full adults. The other viewpoint is that
the species is endemic to the Gulf of Mexico and those individuals
that are carried away from the Gulf of Mexico (47) are lost to the
reproductive portion of the population (14,15,16).
The neonate Kemp's Ridley moves offshore and little is known
about its pelagic existence. Presumably it drifts either with
sargassum or debris brought into the Gulf of Mexico by rivers (17).
Ridley's appear to prefer sheltered areas along the coast and frequent
bays, estuaries, and lagoons.
The juveniles and adults feed on crustaceans and molluscs which
thrive on the soft muddy bottom (14). In the Florida Keys (where
coral reefs are numerous) they are found near mangrove shorelines
(18). The only fishery for subadult Ridley's in modern times was in
the shallow waters around river mouths in Levy and Citrus Counties in
Florida (16). Adult Ridley's are basically restricted to the Gulf of
Habitat Associations - 1 Mexico. The major and only significant habitat for the adults in U.S.
waters are the white shrimp grounds of Louisiana and east Texas (14).
The Tabasco-Campeche area of the Gulf of Mexico is also a major
feeding area (45). This level bottom community (19) is characterized
by large populations of paenaid shrimp and portunid crabs. The
salinities are characteristically well below oceanic values. On the
Atlantic coast, the species appears to be both oceanic and estuarine
(20,21) and adult-sized turtles are rarely found. Bays and estuaries
are of questionable usage in the Gulf of Mexico but important on the
Atlantic coast. In the Gulf of Mexico, an estuarine habitat has been
postulated on the basis of tag returns from "head-start" turtles (22).
Information indicating that wild Kemp's occur in Bays and other
shore areas of Texas and Louisiana is available (44). Data is
not available on how prevalent the species may be in Bays, the mouths
of rivers, or in oil field canals (36).

Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Molluscs
General Crustaceans
General Coelenterata
General Molluscs
General Crustaceans
General Coelenterata

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove swamps
G Coastal Features: Reefs
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G
G Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove swamps
G Coastal Features: Reefs
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
The relatively few papers on the diet of the Kemp's Ridley
clearly indicate that it feeds on shallow water benthic invertebrates
with a predilection for decapod crustaceans (14). The dominant food
items in nearly all cases are brachyuran crabs. Particularly well
represented in the diet are portunid crabs (Ovaliaes sp. and
Callinectes sp.), but other species are eaten, e.g., xanthids and
oxystomatids (02,23,24,25,26). The next most common group of animals
in the Kemp's Ridley diet are small mollusks such as snails (Nassarius
sp.), and small clams (Nuculana sp., Corbula sp., and Mulinia sp.)
(27). All the molluscs are common inhabitants of muddy, shallow
seabeds. On the nesting grounds in Mexico either the diet changes to
more active prey, i.e., squid, jellyfish, and fish, or the species
feeds on the discarded portion of the shrimp fishermen's catch (01).
Some marine vegetation may also be found in the diet of this species.
Nothing is known about the food of the pelagic, very young juveniles,
but presumably it is mostly coelenterates and other surface dwelling
creatures.

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
There have been only a few observations of the Ridley in the
natural habitat. Most of the population nests in large attregations
or "arribadas" on the same few kilometers of beach at Rancho Nuevo,
Tamaulipas, Mexico (01). Juveniles are regular summer visitors to the
Chesapeake Bay, VA (42). Carr (28) reported a flotilla of small
Ridley's arriving at Woods Hole, MA. In LA, it would appear that the
Ridley is an opportunistic feeder on concentrations of portunid crabs,
and may feed in groups (29), but in FL off Cedar Key, there may be a
distribution of Ridley's among the suitable gullies in the grass flats
(30). The aggressive behavior of Kemp's Ridley's towards each other
has forced the culturist at the "Headstart Program" in Galveston, TX,
to rear them in individual containers (31).

PERIODICITY:
The species is mostly diurnal, both in feeding and nesting (01),
but only diurnal nesting is supported by adequate data.
On the basis of nesting by tagged females, Marquez (32) has
defined the reproductive cycle as follows: 58 percent of the turtles
nest every year, 29 percent nest every two years, and 13 percent nest
every three years. The number of times each turtle nests in a season
ranges from one to four times. The inter-nesting interval ranges from
20 to 28 days (01).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
As adults, a portion of the population including both males and
females migrate from the feeding grounds to the nesting beach each
year, others migrate after a 2, 3, or 4 year period (36). It is
inferred, on the basis of tag returns and incidental catches in shrimp
trawls, that they migrate near the coast (01,32). The schedule of
migration has not been clarified, but, on the basis of nesting period,
migration to the nesting ground appears to occur in March and April
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

and the return from mid-July to mid-September. The main migration
route would be from the feeding grounds in Louisiana through Texas
waters to the nesting beach in Tamaulipas.
However, there are two conflicting opinions about the
distribution and migrations of hatchling Kemp's Ridleys. One is that
the hatchlings are carried into the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream and
when they reach New England they become capable of active migration
and make a return to the Gulf of Mexico before they are full adults
(01). The other viewpoint is that the species is endemic to the Gulf
of Mexico and those individuals that are carried away from the Gulf
are waifs with no reproductive future (14,15,16).
It has been inferred that males are more pelagic than females
which are restricted to shallow waters just offshore (23). The
average movement of turtles is between 18-37 km per day but
individuals have been known to move up to 53 km per day, although this
exceptional speed of movement may be influenced by the Gulf Stream
current (41). Mature Kemp's Ridleys have only been found in the Gulf
of Mexico, but it seems possible hatchlings embark on a several years
trip outside the Gulf. Young apparently drift (possibly in Sargassum
mats as do hatchlings of other species) in a clockwise direction
around the Gulf passing by southern Florida and along the Atlantic
coast to New England. During this time they may reach 10-20 inches
(25.4 to 30.5 cm) in size and probably reverse the previous direction
of travel migrating southward. When mature, the turtles have probably
reached the crustacean rich areas off the mouth of the Mississippi
River and near Laguna del Carmen, Campeche, MX (01).

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
No studies have been made. Based on the location of the feeding
grounds, turbid water may be important or even soft sediment for
concealment. Submerged aquatic vegetation, an important nursery area
for Decapod crustaceans, is a primary habitat for juvenile Ridleys in
the Chesapeake Bay, VA (42). Ridley's appear to prefer sheltered
areas along the coast and frequent bays, estuaries, and lagoons.

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
The optimum requirements for this species have never been
determined, nor have the beach characteristics of Rancho Nuevo been
fully investigated. Except that the beach is in a wilderness area,
there is little to differentiate it from beaches running for miles
north and south of Rancho Nuevo (01). A sand beach in which the back
berm and the foredunes are well above high tide levels is certainly a
necessity. The type and amount of vegetation is also important
because it effects the turtles ability to excavate a nest or may
provide too much shade for the nest. According to studies at Rancho
Nuevo it appears that the optimum moisture content of the sand at the
nest site ranges between 10-20 percent saturation. Females
consistently utilized nest sites with a mean of 14 percent moisture
(measured by percent saturation of water) for the three years surveyed
1983-1985 (37). The vegetation of the berm of the nesting beach at
Rancho Nuevo consists of railroad vine (Ipomoea sp.) and related
primary succession species. The dune itself is well vegetated with a
climax community of shrubs, scrub and small trees. Neither berm or
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

dune vegetation present a hinderence to nesting turtles (38), except
when roots prevent excavation of the nest cavity.

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The Cayman Turtle Farm, by using a high protein diet, obtained
viable eggs from a Kemp's in 5 and one-half years (33). The minimum
breeding age for the wild population is 7 years (32). The maturity
age is based on growth rates calculated from captive hatchlings and
observed season-to-season increases in tagged adult females. The
maximum breeding age is unknown. Breeding takes place at the nesting
beach during the nesting seasons. Kemp's Ridleys come ashore in mass
aggregations called "arribadas" to lay during daylight hours.
Formerly arribadas were as large as 40,000 females, but arribadas now
rarely exceed 200 females. Copulating pairs have been seen in the
months of April, May, and June (01). A single female may lay four
clutches during a season but the average number is 1.304 with an
average egg production per female per season of 140 eggs (32).
Incubation time is 45 to 70 days (34).

PARENTAL CARE:
The female turtle deposits her eggs in the beach sand and
abandons the area (02).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The population of the species is greatly depleted, and all
authors who have addressed the topic blame man. Natural mortality due
to coyotes, sand crabs, red drum, jackfish, sharks, and avian
predators are important causes of mortality (35), but there is no
evidence of unusual concentrations of these predators. The two major
factors have been exploitation of the eggs in the past and incidental
catch by all types of fishing gear (32,35). Prior to nest protection
efforts which began in 1965, egg predation by coyotes (Canis latrans)
and humans was a factor affecting nest success (38). The sex ratio of
these adult turtles is unknown because only the females come ashore,
but nonetheless it is normally assumed to be 1:1.
Marquez et al. (32), has calculated yearly changes in total
mortality and survival in adults, gathered from tagging and tag
recoveries. He shows a value for Z (total mortality) of 0.897 in 1977
and 0.847 in 1979, and the corresponding figures for S (survival rate)
were 0.408 and 0.428. However, other data indicate a 3-4 percent
decline per annum (43). In 1947, an estimated 100,000 females nested;
in the early 1970's, 2-3,000 females nested; and in 1986, 572 females
nested (43).
Thermal transects run on the beach profile at Rancho Nuevo
indicate that (if L. kempii sex/temperature parameters are similar to
L. olivacea) April nests are exposed to temperatures conducive to
production of primarily females (37).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
There seems to be a predator-prey relationship between the Ridley
and brachyuran crabs. A large proportion of mature females at Rancho
Nuevo, MX have medium sized barnacles (Chelonia testudinaria) attached
to the carapace, plastron, or top of the head (01). Natural mortality
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

due to coyotes, sand crabs, red drum, jackfish, sharks, and avian
predators are important causes of mortality (35), but there is no
evidence of unusual concentrations of these predators. Other
predators of turtle nests and hatchlings include ghost crabs (Ocypoda
albicens), black vultures (Coragyps atratus), and man (01).

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.

Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Rehabilitating Individuals
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Oil Spills
Existing Oil Spills
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Rehabilitating Individuals
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Oil Spills
Existing Oil Spills
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
There appears to be broad agreement that Kemp's Ridley is clearly
a seriously Endangered species for two major reasons: 1) Over
exploitation of the eggs (subsistence and commercial) prior to 1966
when Mexico began protective measures; and 2) the large incidental
catch of adults and juveniles in fishing gear principally shrimp
trawlers which still continues (01,10,11). One would predict that
with increasing fishing effort for crustaceans and fishes in the Gulf
of Mexico that a greater percentage of the Ridley population would be
destroyed by fishing gear in the future than now. Overutilization for
commercial purposes and predation by people and animals led to the
decline in the Kemp's. Beach patrols on the nesting beach must be
maintained because poaching of eggs is still a serious threat (38).
Pollution effects on the Ridley have not been quantified. The
possibility of finding a hatchling Ridley in a major oil spill, e.g.,
Ixtoc, is difficult. One was found, but whether it was killed by oil
or not, was not determined (12). Mortalities of Kemp's Ridley's due
to eating "tarballs" has been observed on Mustang Island, TX (13).
The deleterious effects of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and
PCB compounds, if any, at environmental exposure levels have not been
investigated. It is plausible that persistent exposure could reduce
individual fitness by affecting growth, physiological functions, and
reproductive success.
One reason for listing Ridley's as endangered is the alteration
of habitat (i.e., shoreline development), especially the great marshes
of Louisiana and Tabasco, by channelization, dredge and filling
practices, land reclamation, and industrialization. This will
indirectly affect the Ridley by reducing its food supply and foraging
habitat. Plastic and other marine debris, when ingested by turtles,
may cause death. Turtles entangled in plastic may not survive if
they cannot shed it. Power boats (vessel traffic) can injure or
kill turtles.

APPROVED PLAN:
National Marine Fisheries Service. 1984. A Recovery Plan for Marine
Turtles. National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg, FL.
355 pp.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

Because nearly all Kemp's Ridley sea turtle nests are found in
Mexico, the recommendations in the Recovery Plan are made in hopes of
furthering on-going Mexican-American cooperative efforts. The primary
objective of the plan is to restore populations to a level comparable
to that of the 1940's. Efforts to attain this cooperation fall into
four major categories:

Catagory I: Mitigate factors affecting terrestrial mortality
and/or stress by:
a) Regulating the petrochemical industry (particularly bilge
pumping and/or effluent dumping).
b) Developing an oil spill contingency plan (e.g., impacts of the
IXTOC I spill in 1979).
c) Regulating human and livestock use to maintain the integrity
of the nesting beach. Although not specifically mentioned in
the Recovery Plan, it is generally agreed that maintaining
early stages of succession is essential to preserving the
integrity of the nesting beach area. The restricting of beach
development and limiting of vehicle access on the nesting
beach has been achieved by Presidential Decree listing Rancho
Nuevo as a turtle sanctuary.
d) Use hatcheries and head-start programs to increase survival of
young in their first year of life.
e) Initiate captive breeding programs.
f) Maintain a total ban on non-scientific take (recreational,
commercial, and subsistence) and limit take for scientific
purposes.

Catagory II: Assess and monitor population levels on beaches by:
a) Determining hatching success rates.
b) Tag or mark females and evaluate rates of return.
c) Search and count nests (including outside of the Rancho Nuevo
area) by air and ground.

Catagory III: Prevent extinction by:
a) Establishing captive breeding colonies and attempt to
establish a wild breeding colony on Padre Island.

Catagory IV: Mitigate factors affecting marine mortality and/or
stress by:
a) Developing contingency plans to prevent mortality (i.e.,
procedures for saving/rehabilitating cold-stunned turtles).
b) Regulate spoil dumping, sea floor mining, and trawl tows
(use of TED - Turtle Excluder Device).
c) Regulate the petrochemical industry (particularly bilage
pumping and/or effluent dumping).
d) Maintain and enforce the ban on take throughout the range.
e) Regulate fishing and boating methods, gear, areas, and seasons
in U.S. waters.
f) Recommend adjustment to Mexican "no-trawling" zone, if deemed
necessary.
g) Regulate fishing and boating methods, gear, areas, and seasons
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

in Mexican waters.
h) Determine unknown mortality factors, if any, and take
appropriate action. Although not specifically mentioned in
the Recovery Plan, restricting of pollutants by controlling
agricultural practices may stabilize water quality especially
near crucial foraging grounds at the mouth of the Mississippi
River.
i) Determine the feasibility of aerial and other means of at-sea
monitoring.

A cooperative Mexican - U.S. programme is in progress, involving
relocation of nests to Padre Island, TX; headstarting of hatchlings;
further protection of the nesting beach; and research on fishing gear
designed to exclude turtles from trawls.

Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Pritchard, P.C.H., and R. Marquez. 1973. Kemp's Ridley sea turtle
or Atlantic Ridley, Lepidochelys kempi. IUCN Mono. 2, Switzerland.
30 pp.
02 Carr, A.F. 1952. Handbook of turtles: The turtles of the United
States, Canada and Baja California. Comstock Publishing Assoc.,
Ithaca, NY.
03 Ernst, C.H., and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United
States. Univ. Press KY.
04 Garman, S. 1880. On certain species of the Chelonioidae. Bull.
Mus. Comp. Zool. 6:123-126.
05 Rebel, T.P. 1974. Sea turtles and the turtle industry of the
West Indies, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Univ. Miami Press,
Coral Gables, FL.
06 Zangeral, R. [n.d.]. Patterns of phylogenetic differentiation in
the toxochelyd and cheloniid sea turtles. Amer. Zool.
20(3):585-596.
07 Frair, W. 1979. Taxonomic relations among sea turtles elucidated
by serological tests. Herpetologica 35(3):239-244.
08 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1969. Studies of the systematics and
reproductive cycles of the genus Lepidochelys. Ph.D. dissertation.
Univ. of FL, Gainsville.
09 Smith, H., and E. Taylor. 1950. An annotated checklist and key to
the reptiles of Mexico exclusive of the snakes. Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus. (199).
10 Carr, A.F. 1973. Crisis for the Atlantic Ridley. Marine Turtle
Newsletter 4:2-3.
11 Marquez, Rene. 1984. Kemp's Ridley overview of biology. Proc. of
the Western Atlantic Turtle Symposium. 1:96-100.
12 Hildebrand, H.H. 1980. Report on the incidental capture,
harassment and mortality of sea turtles in Texas. NOAA/NMFS PO.
No. NA80-GG-A-00160, Pascagoula, MS.
13 Amos, Tony. 1985. Pers. comm. Univ. of TX Inst. of Mar. Sci.,
Port Aransas, TX.
14 Hildebrand, H.H. 1982. A historical review of the status of sea
turtles in the western Gulf of Mexico. Pp. 447-453. In:
Bjorndal, K.A. (editor); Biology and conservation of sea turtles.
Pp. 26-30 In: Proc. World Conf. Sea Turtle Conservation.
November 1979. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Wash., D.C.
15 Hendrickson, J.R. 1980. The ecological strategies of sea turtles.
Amer. Zool. 20(3):597-608.
16 Carr, A.F., and D.K. Caldwell. 1958. The problem of the Atlantic
Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) in 1958. Rev. Biol. Trop.
6(2):245-262.
17 Hildebrand, H.H. 1983. Random notes on sea turtles in the western
Gulf of Mexico. Pp. 34-41. In: David Owens et al. (editors).
Western Gulf of Mexico Sea Turtle Workshop Proc. Texas A & M Univ.
18 Carr, A.F. 1942. Notes on sea turtles. Proceedings New England
Zool. Club 21.
19 Hildebrand, H.H. 1954. Fauna of the brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

ives) grounds in the western Gulf of Mexico. Publ. Inst. Mar. Sci.
Univ. TX 3(2).
20 Lazell, J.D. 1980. New England waters; critical habitat for
marine turtles. Copeia 1980(2):290-295.
21 Lutcavage, M. 1981. The status of marine turtles in Chesapeake
Bay and Viginia coastal waters. Thesis. College of Williams and
Mary, VIMS. Gloucester Point, VA.
22 Fontaine, Tim. 1984. Pers. comm. NOAA/NMFS Marine Lab.,
Galveston, TX.
23 Hardy, J.D. 1962. Comments on the Atlantic Ridley turtle,
Lepidochelys olivacea kempi, in Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Sci.
3(3):217-220.
24 Liner, E. 1954. The herperofauna of Lafayette, Terrebonne and
Vermilion Parishes, Louisiana. Proc. LA Acad. Sci. 17:65-85.
25 Smith, P.W., and J.C. List. 1950. Notes on Mississippi amphibians
and reptiles. Amer. Midl. Nat. 53(1):115-125.
26 DeSola R., and F. Abrams. 1933. Testudinata from south-eastern
Georgia, including the Okefenokee Swamp. Copeia (3):10-12.
27 Dobie, J.L., L.H. Ogren, and J.F. Fitzpatrick. 1961. Food notes
and records of the Atlantic Ridley turtle (Lepidochely kempi) from
Louisiana. Copeia (1):109-110.
28 Carr, A.F. 1967. So excellent a fishe. The Nat. Hist. Press.
Garden City, NY.
29 Rabalais, S. 1985. Pers. comm. Lumcom, Cocrodrie, LA.
30 Ogren, Larry. 1985. Pers. comm. NOAA/NMFS Marine Lab. Panama
City, FL.
31 Klima, E., and J. McVey. 1982. Headstarting the Kemp's Ridley
turtle. Pp. 481-487. In: Karen A Bjorndal (ed); Biology and
conservation of sea turtles. Proc. World Conf. Sea Turtle
Conservation. November 1979. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Wash., D.C.
32 Marquez, Rene, A. Villanueva, and M. Sanchez Perez. 1982. The
population of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle in the Gulf of Mexico,
Lepidochelys kempi. Pp. 150-164. In: Karen Bjorndal (ed) Biology
and conservation of sea turtles. Proc. World Conf. Sea Turtle
Conserv. November 1979. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Wash., D.C.
33 Wood, J.R., and F.E. Wood. Captive breeding of the Kemp's Ridley.
Marine Turtle News Letter 29:12.
34 Hirth, Harry. 1980. Some aspects of nesting behavior and
reproductive biology of sea turtles. Amer. Zool. 20:507-523.
35 Hildebrand, H.H. 1963. Hallazgo del area de anidacion de la
tortuga marina lora, Lepidochelys kempi (Garman) en la costa
occidental del Golfo de Mexico. Ciencia Mex. 22(4):105-112.
36 Hildebrand, H.H. 1985. Pers. observ. Corpus Christi, TX 78418.
37 Burchfield, P.M., and F.J. Foley. 1985. Report on Republic of
Mexico/United States of America conservation effort on behalf of
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle at Playa De Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas,
Mexico, 1985. Report on file: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Office of Endangered Species, Wash. D.C.
38 National Marine Fisheries Service. 1984. A Recovery Plan for
Marine Turtles. National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg,
FL. 355 pp.
39 Smith, H.M., and R.B. Smith. 1979. Synopsis of the hertofauna of
Mexico. Vol. IV. Guide to Mexican turtles, bibliographic addendum
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

III. John Johnson, North Bennington, VT. 1044 pp.
40 Stejneger, and Barbour. 1939. A checklist of North American
amphibians and reptiles. Cambridge, MA, Harvard Univ. Press.
4th Ed. 207 pp.
41 Zwinenberg, A.J. 1977. Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii
(Garman, 1880), undoubtedly the most endangered marine turtle today
(with notes on the current status of Lepidochelys olivacea).
Reprint Bull. MD. Herpt. Soc. Vol. 13, No. 3, Sept. 1977.
Pp. 170-192.
42 Lutcavage, Molly, and J.A. Musick. 1985. Aspects of biology of
sea turtles in Virginia. Copeia 1985(2):449-456.
43 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Office files. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM 87103.
44 Possert, E. 1987. Pers. knowledge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Endang. Sp. Field Sta., Jacksonville, FL 32207.
45 Carr, A., A. Meylan, J. Martimer, K. Bjorndal, and T. Carr. 1982.
Surveys of sea turtle populations and habitats in the western
Atlantic. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-SEFC-91. 91 pp.
46 Hopkins, S.R., and J.J. Richardson (eds.). 1982. Recovery plan
for marine turtles. Tech. draft to the NMFS. 266 pp.
47 Groombridge, B. 1982. The IUCN Amphibia-Reptilia Red Data Book,
Part 1, Testudines, Crocodylia, and Rhynchacephalia. IUCN,
Gland, Switzerland. 426 pp.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

01 Carr, A.F. 1973. Crisis for the Atlantic Ridley. Marine Turtle
Newsletter 4:2-3.
02 Pritchard, P.C.H., and R. Marquez. 1973. Kemp's Ridley sea turtle
or Atlantic Ridley, Lepidochelys kempi. IUCN Mono 2.
03 Brongersma, L.D. 1972. European Atlantic turtles. Zool. Verh.
Rijkmus. Nat. Hist. Leiden 121.
04 Hildebrand, H.H. 1963. Hallazgo del area de anidacion de la
tortuga marina lora, Lepidochelys kempi (Garman), en la costa
occidental del Golfo de Mexico. Ciencia Mex. 22(4):105-112.
05 Anon. 1984. National report for the Country of the United States
of America. Pp. 423-488. In: Bacon, P. et al. (editors), Proc.
of Western Atlantic Turtle Symposium, Vol 3.
06 Chavez, H., and R. Kaufmann. 1974. Informacion sobre la tortuga
marina Lepidochelys kempi (Garman) con referencia a un exemplar
marcado en Mexico y observado en Columbia. Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf
and Caribb. 24(2):372-377.
07 Hildebrand, H.H. 1980. Report on the incidental capture,
harassment and mortality of sea turtles in Texas. NOAA/NMFS PO.
No. NA80-GG-A-00160, Pascagoula, MS.
08 Hildebrand, H.H. 1982. A historical review of the status of sea
turtles in the western Gulf of Mexico. Pp. 447-453. In:
Bjorndal, K.A. (ed.). Biology and conservation of sea turtles.
Proc. World Conf. Sea Turtle Conser. November 1979. Smithsonian
Inst. Press, Wash. D.C.
09 Neck, R.W. 1978. Occurrence of marine turtles in the lower Rio
Grande of south Texas (Reptilia, Testudines) J. Herp. 12:422-427.
References - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, RIDLEY, KEMP'S
Species Id ESIS152001
Date 14 MAR 96

10 Vioscai, P. 1961. Turtles, tame and truculent. Lousisiana
Conservationist 13:5-8.
11 Lutcavage, Molly, and J.A. Musick. 1985. Aspects of biology of
sea turtles in Virginia. Copeia 1985(2):449-456.
12 Lazell, J.D. 1980. New England waters: Critical Habitat for
marine turtles. Copeia 1980(2):290-295.
13 Carr, A.F. 1967. So excellent a fishe. The Nat. Hist. Press.
Garden City, NY.
14 De Sola, C.R., and F. Abrams. 1933. Testudinata from SE Georgia.
Copeia 1933(1):12.
15 Hillestad, H.O., J.I. Richardson, and G.K. Williamson. Incidental
capture of sea turtles by shrimp trawlermen in Georgia. NOAA/NMFS
PO. No. 03-07-042-35129.
16 Hay, O.P. 1908. On three existing species of sea turtles, one of
them (Caretta remivaga) New. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 34:183-198.
17 Carr, A.F. 1955. The riddle of the Ridley. Animal Kingdom
58(5):146-156.
18 Carr, A.F. 1942. Notes on sea turtles. Proceedings New England
Zool. Club 21.
19 Caldwell, D.K., and A. Carr. 1957. Status of the sea turtle
fishery in Florida. Trans. 22 North American Wildl. Conv.; March,
1957.
20 Carr, A.F., A. Meylan, J. Mortimer, K. Bjorndal, and T. Carr.
1982. Survey of sea turtle populations and habitats in the western
Atlantic. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFC-91.
21 Hildebrand, H.H. 1983. Random notes on sea turtles in the western
Gulf of Mexico: Pp. 34-41. In: David Owens et al. (editors);
Western Gulf of Mexico sea turtle workshop Proc. Texas A & M Univ.
22 Bailey, M. 1985. Pers. comm. NOAA/NMFS Fishery Statistics;
Port Arthur, TX.
23 Vargas Molinar, T.P.E. 1973. Resultados preliminares del marcado
de tortugas marinas en aguas Mexicanas (1966-1970). Inst. Nac.
Pesca, Ser. Informe, INP/SI i 12.
24 Carr, A. 1980. Some problems of sea turtle ecology. Amer. Zool.
20:489-498.
25 Hardy, J.D. 1962. Comments on the Atlantic Ridley turtle,
Lepidochelys olivacea kempi, in Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Sci.
3(3):217-220.
26 Hillestad, H.O., J.I. Richardson, and G.K. Williamson. 1977.
Incidental capture of sea turtles by shrimp trawlermen in Georgia.
Report to NMFS, Contract No. 03-7-042-35129, Miami, FL. 104 pp.
27 O'Hara, K., N. Atkins, and S. Iudicello. 1986. Marine wildlife
entanglement in North America. Center for Environ. Ed.
28 Hildebrand, H.H. 1985. Pers. observ. Corpus Christi, TX 78418.

References - 4