Recovery Plan for Leatherback Turtles in the U.S. Caribbean, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico

This plan is directed at recovery of leatherback populations occuring within the U.S. Caribbean, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The team recognizes the importance of U.S. coastal and pelagic waters to leatherbacks from nesting populations outside the United States. It is not within the scope of this plan to develop criteria for these populations at their nesting beaches. Recovery measures delineated in this plan are, however, intended to include all leatherbacks within U.S. Caribbean, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico waters regardless of nesting beach affilliations.