Peer Review Plans

Title and Description:
Recovery Plan for the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
The Kemp’s ridley has been protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1970, and its conservation and recovery are the joint responsibility of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (collectively the Services). Over the last 30 years, numerous research projects have been undertaken, conservation measures implemented, and other measures taken to conserve the species and protect its habitat. Since 1922, Mexico has promulgated regulations to protect marine turtles and, beginning in the 1960's, initiated research and conservation programs specifically for the Kemp’s ridley. In 1977, Rancho Nuevo - the primary nesting beach for the species - was established by Mexico as a “Natural Reserve for the Kemp’s ridley.” In 1984, NMFS and USFWS issued a multi-species recovery plan for listed sea turtles in the southeast U.S. region. This plan was revisited in the early 1990's culminating in an individual species recovery plan for the Kemp’s ridley in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in 1992. Although much is being done to conserve Kemp’s ridley, a comprehensive revision of the current recovery plan is needed to incorporate an abundance of new information on the biology and population status of the species and to provide an updated framework for addressing problems across the entire range of the species (among all of the activities that threaten the species) and for prioritizing actions necessary for their recovery.

ID:  125 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:  10/8/2009
Contact Person:  Rebecca Rootes NOAA Locator

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda: 6/16/2008

Estimated Peer Review Start Date: 8/8/2009
Review type: individual letters
Expected number of peer reviewers: 4-10
Peer reviewers will be selected by:  the agency

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?  no

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed?  no

How? 

When? 

Will the agency provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before they conduct their review?  no

Primary disciplines or expertise needed in the review: 
(1) genetics related to sea turtle population structure; (2) ecology, behavior, and biology of sea turtles; (3) Endangered Species Act policy and regulations

Comments on Peer Review: