Special Online Edition

Kemp's Ridley Compilation

In compiling this chronology, I did not include all MTN articles dealing with Kemp's ridleys, and left out some articles concerning management actions that may have affected this species as well as others. I excluded articles that I believed did not contribute to the focus on Kemp's ridley population status and trends, some that discussed laws and regulations without specific reference to Kemp's ridley, and some that covered proposed regulations or management actions. However, if I excluded articles that authors or readers believe should have been included, I would appreciate their pointing out such omissions to me, so that corrections and additions can be made.

The early articles in this series elucidate the "gloom and doom" prospects for the Kemp's ridley population in the mid- to late-1970s. This led to establishment of the Mexico-United States Kemp's Ridley Restoration and Enhancement Program, which followed 12 years of effort by Mexico to protect the primary nesting site near Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. In articles from the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the time when TED (Turtle Excluder Device) regulations were being urged, promulgated and implemented, it can be seen that initial stages of recovery (increased numbers of nests, expansion of nesting range, increased strandings, etc.) were already evident. However, it seems that these early stages of recovery were not recognized as such until later in this series (e.g., MTN 63:1-3). Such patterns are easily discernible in this chronology.

Also of interest is the dialogue surrounding the Kemp's ridley head-start experiment and captive breeding, both of which were initiated during the "gloom and doom" period and conducted collaterally with Rancho Nuevo nesting beach protection efforts. The imprinting phase of the head-start experiment was terminated in 1988, a year before the first TED regulations were promulgated. In 1988, the US also terminated its participation in the captive-breeding program. The captive-rearing phase of the head-start experiment was terminated in 1993 with release of the 1992 year-class (MTN 63:1-4, 1993). TEDs were required in all inshore and offshore areas of the Southeastern US and throughout the year, beginning in 1992.

Now that the Kemp's ridley population appears to be recovering, the more recent articles in the series focus on explaining why (MTN 76:14-17; MTN 76:17-18; MTN 85:2-4).

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READING

CAILLOUET, C. W., JR. AND A. M. LANDRY, JR. (EDITORS). 1989. Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation and Management, Texas A & M University, Sea Grant College Program, TAMU-SG-89-105, vi plus 260 p. (Available from Publications Office, Sea Grant College Program, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843).

PHILLIPS, P. 1989. The Great Ridley Rescue, Mountain Press Publishing Company, P.O. Box 2399, Missoula, Montana 59806 USA, 180 p.

TURTLE EXPERT WORKING GROUP. 1998. An assessment of the Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle populations in the Western North Atlantic. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-409, 96 p. (Available from National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami Laboratory, Marine Turtle Program, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149 USA, or National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 USA).