Turtle Conservation Management Protocol Gulf Region

1. TurtlesLessons Learned and the Gulf Regional Biological Opinion Bob PrinceChief, Operations and Regulatory Community of PracticeSouth Atlantic Division

2. Gulf Regional Biological Opinion(GRBO)/Management Protocol • Three Divisions – SWD, MVD, SAD • Four Districts • Galveston • New Orleans • Mobile • Jacksonville

3. Executive Advisory Group (EAG) • Operations Chiefs – Three Divisions • Policy and oversight • Decisions, in consultation with Districts, dealing with ceasing dredging • Communicate frequently • Meet annually • Annual review of GRBO Protocol

4. Federal Projects • District trigger points • Reasonable and prudent measures • Districts engage EAG • Four turtle takes – any species or three endangered • Seventy five percent of District “trigger point” limit

5. Federal Projects (continued) • Hopper Dredge Inspection • Silent Inspector • Sea Turtle Deflecting Dragheads • Sea Turtle Observers • Inflow/Overflow Screens • Pre-trawling Condition and Abundance Surveys • Relocation Trawling

6. Federal Projects (continued) • Take one or two (Threatened or Endangered) • Continue dredging • Simultaneously perform risk assessment • Develop Risk Management Plan and implement

7. Federal Projects (continued) • At three turtles – District notify EAG • At four turtle takes – engage EAG • At first Sturgeon take – District notify EAG • At two Sturgeon takes – District engage EAG • EAG remains engaged throughout the remainder of the project (Note – Dredging continues as all the above occurs)

8. COE Permitted Projects • No District trigger points • Reasonable and prudent measures • Districts engage EAG • Four turtle takes – any species or three endangered • Seventy five percent of incidental take limit for any species • Role of Permittee’s Consultant • Dredge Inspection • Risk Assessment

9. COE Permitted Projects(continued) • Hopper Dredge Inspection • Silent Inspector • Sea Turtle Deflecting Dragheads • Sea Turtle Observers • Inflow/Overflow Screens • Pre-trawling Condition and Abundance Surveys • Relocation Trawling

10. COE Permitted Projects(continued) • Take one or two (Threatened or Endangered) • Stop dredging • Perform risk assessment • Develop Risk Management Plan and implement • District reviews and concurs – dredging may continue

11. COE Permitted Projects(continued) • At three turtles – District notify EAG • At four turtle takes – engage EAG • At first Sturgeon take – District notify EAG • At two Sturgeon takes – District engage EAG • EAG remains engaged throughout the remainder of the project (Note – Dredging stops at each take – turtle or sturgeon)

12. Relocation Trawling Takes • Same for Federal and COE Permitted Projects • Use as conditions dictate • Plan for Sea Turtle Relocation Trawling • No District “Trigger Points” • Keep ERDC informed on relocations • If lethal/injurious take occurs – Notifications – District, NMFS, and ERDC

13. Preferred alternative, but, unsuccessful during discussions with NMFS Separate take limits – Federal and Permitted projects If either Federal takes or Permitted takes nearly exhausted/exhausted - Reconsult with NMFS Separate RBO

14. Discussions and Questions