Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program

NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program (MTBAP) has published a draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA).This PEA analyzes the effects of MTBAP’s ongoing research activities on sea turtles and the environment, including monitoring population trends, exploring the use of advanced technology for research and monitoring, developing the application of simulation modeling of population dynamics using long-term datasets, stranding response and research, training and capacity building, and education and outreach efforts to inform and build support from the public. New research activities in this PEA include nest probing and nest relocations. NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on the document between April 13 and May 12, 2023. Please send comments to Laura Mccue (laura.mccue@noaa.gov).