National Sea Turtle Research Standard Methods Manual

All sea turtle species in U.S. waters have special conservation status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). NOAA Fisheries, also known as National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is the federal agency responsible for implementing in-water conservation and management actions that promote the recovery of these species. Scientific research is essential to the recovery process as it increases our understanding of sea turtle biology and ecology and allows for more effective conservation and adaptive management decisions.