Recovery Plan for U.S. Pacific Populations of the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

The olive ridley turtle is listed as Threatened in the Pacific, except for the Mexican nesting population, which is classified as Endangered. This latter classification was based on the extensive over-harvesting of olive ridleys in Mexico, which caused a severe population decline. Since the ban on the harvest of turtles in Mexico, the primary threat to the Mexican nesting population has been reduced and the population appears to be stabilizing. The primary threats to the olive ridley appear to be incidental take in fisheries and boat collisions while in U.S. waters (or by U.S.­ based fishing fleets), and the harvest of turtles and eggs on Mexican and Central American nesting beaches. The recovery goal is to delist the species.