Management Plan for Leatherback Turtles on the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, with Reference to Green and Hawksbill Turtles
Dutton D. 1997. Management Plan for Leatherback Turtles on the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, with Reference to Green and Hawksbill Turtles. Pursuant to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract Number 40181-6-5351
Increased numbers of turtles present new management considerations regarding relocating nests; Recreational interests are competing with nests for optimal beach areas; Light pollution causes hatchling disorientation; Mongoose predation is increasing; Fish predation impacts may be greater as more nests are relocated to stable areas; Projected increased period and intensity of tropical storm activity may be a problem; Pressure to develop areas adjacent to the refuge are continuing; Poaching still threatens marine turtles on Sandy Point. The objective of this Management Plan is to review unpublished data from 1982- 1997, published reports, and observations made by D. McDonald and P. Dutton to identify research priorities and management objectives. Detailed data analysis is beyond the scope of this Plan; however, the results of preliminary analysis will be summarized and the need for more detailed analysis will be evaluated. The Plan focuses on the leatherback turtle, but is also relevant to green and hawksbill turtles.