2016 SoE Marine Chapter - State and Trends - Marine turtles

Brief description

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of marine turtles". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.

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DESCRIPTION OF TAXONOMIC GROUP FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT
Six species of marine turtles reside in the marine habitats of Australia, predominantly north of 29 °S. All six species migrate between foraging and nesting sites. Post hatchlings of five species undertake oceanic migrations which take them outside of Australia’s EEZ. The flatback turtle has a life history largely contained within the waters of the Australian EEZ. Each species can be separated into genetically distinct management units (MUs) and Australia shares these many of these MUs with neighbouring nations. This assessment focusses on the state and trend of marine turtles in their offshore foraging areas; nesting beaches are covered in the coasts chapter.

DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT
Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications provided in the reference list and is based on state government agency and independent surveys.

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2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]

• 2016 •
Assessment grade: Poor-good
Assessment trend: Unclear
Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Comparability: Grade and trend are comparable to the 2011 assessment
• 2011 •
Assessment grade: Poor
Assessment trend: Stable
Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus

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CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT
The 2016 is based on the most recent information on populations.

Lineage

Statement: QUALITY OF DATA USED IN THE ASSESSMENT
Data derived from formal surveys and published analysis methods.

Notes

Purpose
To describe the state and trends of marine turtles for use in the Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment report.