![]() In 2017, their appearances in Dana Point and Newport harbors was something of a phenomenon. Typically found in tropical waters down in Mexico and farther south, the endangered turtles only traveled north into the water off Orange and Los Angeles counties more recently. “These graceful marine turtles have come a long way, but healthy habitats will be key to their survival,” Elise Bennett, who is the Florida and Caribbean director at the center, said, adding that the climate crisis and sea-level rise are already impacting the reptiles’ habitats and that the “threats will get worse.” Find out more at Representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity on Tuesday said they are “relieved the turtles will get the protection they need.” The Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries are holding public hearings and informational meetings on the proposed habitat designations and are accepting comments on the critical habitat proposals through Oct. On the East Coast, they don’t have that.” “That’s very unique to Southern California. “Commercial fishing lines could impair their progress,” she said. ![]() “We know these residents are here now year-round.”Ī proposal unique to Southern California is to make the turtles’ migration routes from San Diego Bay to Baja, Mexico, part of the critical habit designation despite the fact that it is not a foraging area. “The government-to-government consultation provides an extra layer of protection,” Tina Fahy, sea turtle recovery coordinator with NOAA for the West Coast, said. Much of the proposed critical habitat for the green sea turtle overlaps with existing critical habitat for other species. Once the areas are designated, federal agencies would have to consult with NOAA or the wildlife agency to ensure actions they fund, authorize or undertake would not destroy or adversely modify the critical habitats, NOAA officials said. The groups argued in their lawsuit that although the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries, which share jurisdiction over sea turtles, previously determined that climate change and threats from sea level rise meant the turtles still needed Endangered Species Act protection, the agencies had failed to protect the turtle’s habitats. The proposed action follows a settlement agreement reached after three environmental groups, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sea Turtle Oversight Protection and the Turtle Island Restoration Network, filed a lawsuit in 2020 requesting greater protections for the endangered species. Some of the more significant habitats to be protected include eel grass and other plants critical to the turtles’ survival that are found at San Diego Bay and Mission Bay in San Diego County, Seal Beach, Anaheim Bay, the San Gabriel River, Long Beach and between Palos Verdes up to Santa Monica. The area off Camp Pendleton from Oceanside to San Onofre would not be included. Food was fabulous! Looking forward to a return visit.The plans to expand the turtles’ habit protection could limit some federal projects such as dredging and other habitat disruptions in the nearshore waters. Was there last week visiting family and came here for dinner.They are way better than a lot of standard seafood chains.actually better. ![]() This is one of the best places to get some good, down-home seafood and great sides.
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