2016 SoE Marine Chapter - State and Trends - Marine turtles

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.----------------------------------------DESCRIPTION OF TAXONOMIC GROUP FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENTSix 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 ASSESSMENTData 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.----------------------------------------2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]• 2016 •Assessment grade: Poor-goodAssessment trend: UnclearConfidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensusConfidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are comparable to the 2011 assessment• 2011 •Assessment grade: PoorAssessment trend: StableConfidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensusConfidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus----------------------------------------CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENTThe 2016 is based on the most recent information on populations.