Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like your feedback on a draft Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for Leatherback Turtles in Pacific Canadian waters. The draft recovery strategy and Action Plan was developed by a multi- stakeholder recovery team of experts, and will form the key component to recovering this Species At Risk, under Canada's new Species At Risk Act.

Leatherback Turtles in Canada are facing possible extinction and were classified as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in April, 1981. Their status was re-examined by COSEWIC in May 2001 and confirmed as Endangered based on an updated status report. In Pacific Canadian waters, collisions with vessels, accidental capture and entanglement, and ingestion of debris are believed to be the major causes of mortality. The main reasons for the species' global decline include collection of eggs on its nesting beaches, destruction of nesting habitat and incidental take in fisheries.

• Leatherback Turtle National Recovery Strategy (word) or (pdf) *UPDATED*
• Leatherback Turtle National Action Plan (word) or (pdf) *NEW*

Your opinion matters! To submit your feedback, or for more information, please contact:

Carole Eros
Chair, Pacific Leatherback Turtle Recovery Team
Tel:  (604) 666-3610
Fax:  (604) 666-3341
ErosC@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200-401 Burrard St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3S4