National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Business Plan. August, E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Business Plan August, 2016 1 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Purpose of a Business Plan The purpose of a NFWF business plan is to provide a detailed blueprint of the strategies and resources required to achieve the desired conservation outcomes. The strategies discussed in this plan do not represent solely the foundation s view of the actions necessary to achieve the identified conservation goals, but instead reflect the majority view of the many federal, state, academic, and organizational experts that consulted during plan development. This plan is not meant to duplicate ongoing efforts but rather to invest in areas where gaps might exist so as to support the efforts of the larger conservation community. Acknowledgements We appreciate the time, knowledge, and support provided by individuals that have contributed to this business plan through input, review, discussions, and/or support for particular pieces of the plan and its implementation to date in small and large ways. In particular we would like to thank Alexander Gaos for extensive input and meetings and other individuals from the ICAPO network. We would also like to thank those from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that have been co-funders on projects referenced in the plan and reviewers of the plan itself. About NFWF The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation protects and restores our nation's wildlife and habitats. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private contributions. NFWF works with government, nonprofit and corporate partners to find solutions for the most complex conservation challenges. Over the last three decades, NFWF has funded more than 4,000 organizations and committed more than $2.9 billion to conservation projects. Learn more at www.nfwf.org. Photo Credits Photos used in this business plan were taken, with permission from the ICAPO website and are credited to the following photographers: Alexander Gaos, Ingrid Yañez, Michael Liles, David Melero, Velkiss Gadea. 2 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Executive Summary This plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to guide NFWF investments in the recovery of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill, a critically endangered population of sea turtle that is estimated to contain roughly 500 breeding females. The plan builds on existing work and capacity that has been developed since 2007, prior to which time the population was thought to be ecologically and commercially extirpated in the region. After nearly 10 years of targeted capacity building throughout the population s range of Mexico to Peru, critical triage efforts and scientific exploration and assessment, there is enough information to build a plan for building the population to recovery goals. By identifying a clear set of measurable outcomes, the plan will help ensure that investments are strategically directed, and it will provide a framework to facilitate leveraging of public and private resources. The goal of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Business Plan is to make investments over the next 10-years that will build a recovery trajectory that will continue to increase without significant conservation interventions. The Foundation proposes an investment of $4.4-5.8 million over the next ten years to support the following three strategies. Each implementation activity has identified priority locations based on current information. As additional sites are assessed for threat and data continue to change the conservation landscape of this population, these geographies will be assessed for progress and their continued importance to the overall population in year five of the plan (2020) and updated if needed. 1. Stabilize Productivity at Critical Nesting Beaches: a three phased strategy to increase and stabilize nesting productivity on critical nesting beaches to produce 40,000 hatchlings annually to the population. As poaching reduction goals are realized the strategy shifts focus to sustainable financing and the eventual reduction of dependence on human interaction. 2. Reduce mortality from bycatch: a four-part strategy to understand and reduce the impacts of bycatch in known priority geographies for two priority fisheries, Lobster Gillnets and Blast Fishing, which were identified in a preliminary bycatch assessment. 3. Strengthen regional coordination to maintain population-level priorities: support standardization and training across the region and provide for regional coordination of recovery efforts and evaluation. The plan has a three part evaluative structure relative to three critical life stages, which if met, should meet or exceed the overall population goal. Monitoring protocols outline informal and formal assessments including a full assessment of progress and refinement of targets in year five. Annual hatchling production stabilized at 40,000-55,000 across nesting beaches with >20 nests. Increased annual juvenile population over 650-2,000 across 5 in-water Index sites by 2025. Maintain a stable or increasing annual nesting female population across a 5-year average. 3 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Conservation Need The Eastern Pacific hawksbill turtle is the most imperiled sea turtle species in the Eastern Pacific Region and faces a high likelihood of extinction if significant conservation measures are not taken. As recently as 2007, many sea turtle scientists considered the hawksbill to be ecologically and commercially extirpated in the region. Initial NFWF investments identified previously unknown nesting strongholds that have increased this population s chance for survival, but the total estimated population is still less than 500 nesting females. Eastern Pacific hawksbills nest and forage throughout coastal waters from Mexico to Peru. Over 75% of the nesting activity occurs at four sites in El Salvador and Nicaragua which were heavily poached (100%) until only recently and required direct intervention and community engagement to bring poaching levels down to sustainable levels (<10%). Bycatch in artisanal fisheries, particularly in areas where blast fishing and lobster gillnet techniques are used, is a significant threat throughout hawksbills migratory range, including nearshore inter-nesting areas. This species of turtle is also desired for its decorative shell and illegal harvest of adults for the shell trade continues. Hawksbill Hatchling While many of these threats are similar to others in the NFWF sea turtle portfolio, the Eastern Pacific hawksbill stands apart in both science and capacity for conservation. The movement to understand and protect this population is so nascent that every year of conservation and data collection can impact population demographics and prioritize new areas for conservation, respectively. A population baseline has recently been established 1 after decades of perceived dramatic declines, but without much historical record as to previous numbers. The need for community awareness and engagement is also critical for this population as markets remain active for eggs, and to a lesser extent, shell. Current Conservation Context When NFWF s initial investments in 2006 demonstrated proof that there was still a viable population in the Eastern Pacific, but that eggs were being poached and adults were being killed at unsustainable rates, conservation organizations in the region shifted efforts and new organizations were established to 1 Gaos, A. R. et al. (2010) Signs of hope in the eastern Pacific: international collaboration reveals encouraging status for a severely depleted population of hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata. Oryx 44, 595 601. 4 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

fill the conservation capacity gap. Some examples of organizational capacity 2 that this plan will draw from include local and international NGOs like Grupo Tourtugero (Mexico), Fauna and Flora International (Nicaragua) and Equilibrio Azul (Ecuador) that have already established hawksbill programs, and country and US government entities like the Ministries of the Environments of El Salvador Local NGO brings community together for turtle release and Panama, US Fish and Wildlife Service (UAFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that have acknowledged the importance of this population through regulations, programming and funding. Conservation of this population also benefits from a growing network of scientists, managers and conservationists that are focused on the conservation and recovery of the population which is called the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative or ICAPO for its acronym in Spanish. Established in 2008, ICAPO is currently made up of >60 members from all of nine of the countries where hawksbills are found in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. To date the focus of these groups and NFWF has been to develop capacity in the highest priority areas, to secure the nesting beaches, and to increase the available science on the population as a whole. While the ICAPO movement has done an excellent job of bringing the known science and conservation efforts to the region as a collective body, there has not yet been a region-wide coordinated strategy or action plan to demonstrate the sum of these collective activities toward population recovery. NFWF has prepared this document in consultation with ICAPO and other partners to inform an integrated strategy that leverages each party s investments and actions on the ground and works to prioritize actions, increase efficiency, and measure the cumulative impact of all independent efforts within the project area. NFWF will use this business plan to guide its investments and to share with other partners for a collaborative conservation approach to the stabilization and recovery of this imperiled population. 2 A broader list of organizations and their role in the EP Hawksbill movement can be found in Appendix A. 5 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Conservation Outcomes While a full population assessment and recovery criteria are not available for this population, experts estimate that a stabilized or increasing population with at least 1,000-1,500 3 nesting females over the next two generations (40 years) (double/triple the current population) will provide an appropriate foundation to build population recovery. The goal of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Business Plan is to make investments over the next 10-years that will build a recovery trajectory that will continue to increase without significant conservation interventions. The Eastern Pacific hawksbill is a long-lived species with 20-40 years required before reaching sexual maturity 4. As with other sea turtle populations, this presents a challenge of using the globally accepted nesting female metric for population recovery estimates for the 10-year NFWF business plan time horizon. However, the nature of the EP hawksbill population to mature, forage and migrate near shore provides a rare opportunity to pilot a monitoring approach that goes beyond the bookends of hatchlings and mature females to capture trends in the juvenile-adult life stages in-water, where they spend 99% of their life-cycle. Previous investments in the ICAPO network and in identifying appropriate in-water index sites for long-term monitoring provide a unique opportunity to track progress on activities within the time-frame of the NFWF business plan. NFWF has established the following three business plan objectives (similar to the USFWS recovery plan requirements) relative to three critical life stages that if met, experts believe NFWF should meet or exceed the overall population goal 5. Annual hatchling production stabilized at 40,000-55,000 6 or roughly 400-600 nests at 55% hatching success rate (current average) across nesting beaches with >20 nests 7 adding an additional relative reproductive value equivalent 8 (RRVE) of 50 NF to the population each year, contributing 500 NF RRVE over the 10 year life of the plan. 3 Fish and Wildlife Service & National Marine Fisheries Service (1996) Policy regarding the recognition of distinct vertebrate population segments under the Endangered Species Act. Federal Register. Arlington, Virginia, USA. 61(26), 4721-4725. Recovery Criteria: To consider de-listing, all of the following criteria must be met: 2) Each stock must average 1,000 females estimated to nest annually (FENA) (or a biologically reasonable estimate based on the goal of maintaining a stable population in perpetuity) over six years. 3) All females estimated to nest annually (FENA) at "source beaches" are either stable or increasing for 25 years. 4 Hawksbills mature very slowly, taking 20 to 40 years, and so are long-lived (Chaloupka and Musick 1997). 5 Further narrative on the conservation goal rational is provided in Appendix B. 6 350% increase over 2008 baseline of NFWF initial investments. 7 Current nesting beaches that meet this criteria are Bahia de Jiquilisco, Los Cabanos and Punta Amapala (El Salvador), Estero Padre Ramos and Aserradores (Nicaragua) and Machalilla (Ecuador). See Appendix C Figure 1 for map. 8 Outcomes will be measured by the number of recruits to the population in a standardized relative reproductive equivalent (RRV) of nesting females which are the highest valued individuals in the population and the unit that many scientists consider the standard for monitoring population recovery. We used 0.004 to 1 ratio from eggs to nesting female and 0.029-0.789 for the juvenile life stages to 1 nesting female. 6 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Increased annual juvenile population over 2016 baseline (TBD in 2017) across 5 in-water Index sites 9 by 2025. Once the baseline is established, ICAPO will determine the percentage increase required over time, but to meet population goals experts feel a juvenile size class of 650-2,000, or about 1,300 (500 RRVE), needs to be established and sustained over the life of this business plan to achieve or exceed the 40-year population goal. Maintain a stable or increasing annual nesting female population (monitored each year across a 5-year average to account for annual variation of all known nesting sites combined). Range of juvenile/sub-adult size classes 9 Index sites are Isla Espiritu Santo (Mexico) Bahia Jiquilisco (El Salvador), Estero Padre Ramos (Nicaragua), Golfo Dulce (Costa Rica) and Machalilla (Ecuador). 7 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Implementation Plan The Foundation proposes the following investment strategies to secure management and protection of new recruits to the Eastern Pacific hawksbill population on the nesting beaches, while reducing mortality during the in-water life stages of the species. These inter-connected strategies outlined in Figure 2., once implemented, will fulfill the intermediate outcomes of the business plan and project the population into a healthy recovery trajectory, while building the management and stakeholder capacity to maintain these population gains without additional significant investment. Strategy 1: Stabilize Productivity at Critical Nesting Beaches Prior to investments made in 2007, primary beaches for the EP Hawksbill were experiencing egg poaching rates at nearly 100%. This business plan provides a three phased strategy to continue to increase and stabilize nesting productivity on critical nesting beaches to maintain an annual cohort of hatchlings of 40,000 or more by year three. As poaching reduction goals are realized, the strategy works to build the underpinnings of these nesting beach programs for the long-term by shifting the focus to sustainable financing and the eventual reduction of dependence on human interaction. Continue Beach Monitoring/Protection to Reduce Egg Poaching Support work with local communities and known poachers to change behavior and reduce illegal poaching activity at nesting sites that house greater than 20 nests per year and exceed losses greater than 10%/year. Priority Geographies: Aserradores, Nicaragua; Los Cobanos and Punta Amapala, El Salvador. Priority nesting beaches 8 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Figure 2. Flow diagram depicting the relationship of various strategies (yellow hexagons) and activities (yellow rectangles) within the business plan to each other and the intermediate outcomes (blue boxes) expected to decreased target threats (purple boxes) and increase in the hawksbill population goals (green oval). 9 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Sustainable Hatchery Management with In situ Transition Goals For beaches that have achieved the goal of <10% of nests lost to poaching, work to secure the sustainability of the conservation efforts through local capacity building, diversified financing and program efficiencies. Priority Geographies: Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua; Bahia Jiquilisco, El Salvador; Machalilla, Ecuador. Support pilot projects in key geographies to being transitioned to in situ nesting through techniques such as nest movement, camouflage, community agreements and monitoring. Priority Geographies: Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua and Bahia Jiquilisco, El Salvador. Exploratory Assessment of Additional of Critical Nesting Beaches after 5 year assessment Rapid interview assessment of the surrounding communities to better understand the presence of hawksbills for beaches identified as potentially important based on habitat or community information (poacher reports, shell decor in public establishments, black market sources, etc.). Potentially significant nesting sites identified above are targeted for night-time monitoring during the peak nesting season to quantify nesting and determine the relative priority. Potential Priority Geographies: Darrien Gap, S. Panama/Choco, N. Colombia (6 beach sites have been identified); Tres Marias Islands and Michoacan, Mexico; Coiba & Las Perlas Islands, Panama. Hatchery of protected clutches 10 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Strategy 2: Reduce mortality from bycatch As with other turtle populations, some of the highest densities for this population are found near the major nesting areas. However, unlike other populations that have large offshore migrations, the Eastern Pacific hawksbill appears to have resident turtles that remain in nearshore waters all year round. This biological adaptation may make them more susceptible to local human pressures, particularly coastal fisheries, while providing conservation opportunities to protect and monitor multiple life stages. This business plan will outline a four-part strategy to understand and reduce the impacts of bycatch in known priority geographies 10 for two priority fisheries, Lobster Gillnets 11 and Blast Fishing 12, which were identified in a preliminary bycatch assessment. Fishing boats in the Gulf of Fonseca There are four main elements to NFWF s approach to bycatch reduction in small coastal communities: 1) Conduct a rapid and broad in-water risk assessment of the range to identify hotspots, 2) Quantify the level of bycatch and characterize the fishery and community at hotspot locations, 3) Based on this characterization identify the drivers causing the bycatch, opportunities for behavioral change and establish conservation targets for the hotspot, and 4) Develop and test with the community incentives, disincentives, gear changes and market drivers identified in step three to result in the behavior change that will meet the reduction target. The two priority fisheries for bycatch reduction, blast fishing and lobster gillnets are in different stages of the above four steps and have different geographic priorities as outlined below. 10 The population targets to be saved by each strategy in the context of what numbers are necessary to ensure population stabilization and eventual recovery should be considered initial estimates. Strategy 3 of the business plan calls for the development of more robust targets after additional assessments have been completed. 11 Gillnet gear is particularly threatening to hawksbills when it is: set directly over rocks (versus over sand or offshore), as this is where hawksbills aggregate; bottom-set (as opposed to surface-set), as this leads to drowning of hawksbills; left for long periods of time (e.g., > 8 hours), as this also results in hawksbill mortality. Lobster gillnets are known to meet all of these conditions, which is why they are considered a priority threat. The business plan will initially target this fishery for bycatch reduction and the re-evaluate gillnet bycatch in a broader context in year five. 12 Blast fishing is an illegal practice that uses dynamite to stun or kill fish so they come up to the surface. It is not only damaging the habitat, but the blast radius is considered a significant cause of mortality for hawksbill turtles in the mangrove estuaries where hawksbills concentrate. 11 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Reduce the practice of blast fishing: Quantify the spatial use, frequency and the specific impacts to organisms/habitat of blast fishing. Identify motivators for blast fishing and access incentives for a measurable reduction in illegal blast fishing, particularly in areas that are known to be frequented by hawksbills. Priority geographies: Bahia Jiquilisco, El Salvador, Estero Padre Ramos and Aserradores, Nicaragua Reduce bycatch from lobster gillnets: Assess bycatch rates and drivers and characterize the key lobster fisheries to determine bycatch rates and potential causes/points of interaction. Priority geography: Gulf of Fonseca and nearby areas of known interaction rates. Work with lobster gillnet fishing communities known to have higher bycatch rates to develop and test gear and behavioral modifications to reduce interaction rates and mortality. Viable methods in bycatch reduction will be evaluated on the cost-neutrality of the option for local fishermen to make the change. Priority geographies: Punta Amapala, El Salvador and La Salvia, Nicaragua Map of priority sites to address bycatch from lobster gillnets Exploratory In-Water Assessment of high-bycatch and importance to hawksbills- after 5-year After the first five years of in-water monitoring, sites that do not appear to be increasing at the rates expected and demonstrated by others or other sites identified as having potentially high interaction rates with fisheries would qualify for further assessment. Potential Priority geographies based on current data: Punta Coyote, Costa Rica; Estero Jaltepeque, El Salvador; Corinto and El Anciana in Nicaragua; Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama; Sechura, Peru. 12 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Strategy 3: Strengthen regional coordination to maintain population-level priorities Hawksbill conservation in the Eastern Pacific is a growing movement that is making incredible strides in conservation. However, the programs are still rather nascent and much of the progress to date would not have been possible without active leadership in regional prioritization, data standardization, sharing and housing, fund-raising and training that ICAPO provides. This level of regional coordination is essential for the successful implementation of the threat reduction strategies called for in the plan and to assist in the evaluation of impacts to the overall goal. The following activities seek to build on this initial foundation toward a coordinated conservation effort for the eastern Pacific hawksbill population. 3.1 Support for Training and Standardization across the network Establish a field guide and conduct training on standardized practices and data reporting for nesting, in-water and fisheries work throughout the Eastern Pacific hawksbill network. Maintain regional monitoring system of hatching success across all nesting beaches with 20 or more nests and in-water monitoring across at least 5 high density areas. Coordinate information sharing on lessons learned and appropriate methods to increase beach productivity and reduce negative turtle/fishing interactions. Volunteer takes carapace measurements 3.2 Regional Coordination of Targets and Evaluation: Support increased understanding of fine-scale movement through satellite tagging, an activity that has resulted in increased protection and management of previously unknown habitat. Develop a population model in year five to refine quantified targets necessary for population stabilization and recovery as available data is improved and increased. Coordination needed to stich isolated communities like this with others needed to conserve hawksbills 13 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Implementation Risk Assessment Risk is an uncertain event or condition which, if it occurs, could have a negative effect on an initiative s desired outcome. We assessed seven risk event categories to determine the extent to which they would impede progress towards our stated business plan strategies and goals during the next 10 years. RISK CATEGORY Regulatory Risks Financial Risks Environmental Risks Scientific Risks Social Risks Economic Risks Institutional Risks RATING RISK DESCRIPTION MITIGATING STRATEGIES Low Low Moderate Low Moderate Low Low Strategies do not rely on regulation change or enforcement - these activities would only enhance outcomes. Little impact expected on achieving outcomes of the business plan. Funding base isn't diversified for many of the existing projects. Loss of current FWS funding, for example, would reduce ability to implement nesting strategy (e.g., sustainable nesting). Monitoring plan requires continued funds - years 1-3 have been funded. Sea level rise due to climate change has begun to inundate nesting beaches. Sufficient awareness that poaching is a huge problem, but still somewhat nascent in our understanding of bycatch (e.g., blast fishing). Risk that we are focusing initial funding in areas that aren't the most critical for bycatch. Bycatch impact: Blast fishing illegal, but fishermen continue to do it. However the main element of the business plan is to identify the drivers and possible incentives for behavior prior to further investment. Gill net fishermen unlikely to change behavior without some compensation-- other options for financial income are limited. Working with fishermen on voluntary measures always carries a risk. If bycatch reduction gear is perceived to be more expensive or harder to implement, there will be less use of it. Market for eggs is unlikely to change--it is high and is expected to remain high. Network is a collaboration of organizations; Have good relationships with agencies; Have capacity. Minimizing risk by building a solid foundation and reputation and continued communication with other funders to impress their importance to the overall plan. Encouraging diversified funding base so that NFWF dollars are a smaller percent of their budget. Some groups are also trying to develop ecotourism as a funding source. Looking for highest point to relocate/raise the hatchery to avoid inundation affecting hatchling success Initial work is based off a regional bycatch assessment and the plan includes a strategy to conduct an additional assessment to identify other priority areas in which to work and a review in year five. Strategy in business plan outlines an assessment of the drivers of blast fishing and likely incentives for change prior to investment in changing fishing behavior. Will build relationships with relevant communities over time. Will bring in lessons learned from other bycatch areas to share expertise from similar efforts. Strategy only moves forward if bycatch reduction gear that's economically neutral is identified. In situ nesting is an incremental strategy with imbedded stop-gaps in place. 14 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Geographic Focus Based on known nesting data NFWF will prioritize the stabilization of the top six nesting beaches that make up approximately 80% of nesting productivity (Table 1). It is our hope that lesser producing beach programs will also continue to grow through the network capacity support and from the sharing of best practices. For in-water work, priorities will draw from a 2015 Foundation supported in-water assessment at 31 locations across 8 countries from Mexico to Ecuador. Based on the abundance and threats scores derived for each of these locations, an overall conservation priority ranking was established (see Figures 2-4 of the Appendix C). Based on current information, each implementation activity has identified priority locations which will be updated as new data emerges and additional sites are assessed in year five of the plan (2020). Table 1. Priority Geographies for the Three Key strategies of the Business Plan Focal Area Poaching Reduction Bycatch Reduction In-water Monitoring Isla Espiritu Santo, Mexico Los Cobanos, El Salvador Bahia de Jiquilisco, El Salvador Punta Amapala, El Salvador Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua Aserradores, Nicaragua La Salvia, Nicaragua Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica Machalilla, Ecuador 15 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Monitoring & Evaluating Performance NFWF uses a three-pronged approach to evaluate the success and impact of its business plans. At the population scale the Foundation has established both direct and indirect population targets that will be monitored throughout the life of the business plan. Intermediate outcomes in implementation and threat reduction will be monitored through a different suite of metrics that will be obtained both through projects and ICAPO network data sources as identified below. At the finest scale, individual projects will be required to have built in metrics and monitoring plans to assess the successful implementation of the approved scope of work and whether the outcomes were achieved. At a key stage in the program s lifecycle (year 5), NFWF will convene a group of experts to assist in an in-house assessment or commission a third-party evaluation to examine the factors that have facilitated and hindered successful program implementation to inform future decision-making and adaptively manage. In some cases these course corrections may warrant increased investment; however, it is also possible that NFWF would reduce or eliminate support if periodic evaluation indicates that further investments are unlikely to achieve intended outcomes or conversely if goals are met ahead of schedule. Population Outcomes NFWF has established three business plan goals relative to three critical life stages that the plan hopes to protect. If met, experts believe NFWF should meet or exceed our overall population goal of a population of 1000-1500 nesting females. Two of these goals are monitored through the interim outcomes below. The final goal will be to maintain a stable or increasing annual nesting female population across a 5-year average across all known nesting sites which will be provided as part of the data that is delivered to NFWF by ICAPO each year. In this manner, the Foundation will be able to assess each cohort of turtles as they mature and confirm that we are changing the recovery trajectory to one that is stabilized and growing by 2025. Recovery Goal Protect nesting females from poaching and unsustainable mortality so that the reproductive population has a net increase over time. Assess and reduce unsustainable loss of juveniles as they enter the nearshore waters so they can continue to grow to reproductive maturity. Introduce >40,000 new recruits to the population each year. 16 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Intermediate and Project Level Outcomes A series of metrics are summarized in Table 1 and outlined below for the intermediate (5-year) and longterm (10-year) targets of this business plan. Metrics are supported by individual projects and outside monitoring investments. Hatchling Production Stabilized Poaching and hatchlings data will be aggregated and provided to NFWF on an annual basis through a monitoring agreement with ICAPO. Poaching will be reported for Estero Padre Ramos and Aserradores, Nicaragua, Bahia Jiquilisco, Los Cobanos, and Punta Amapala, El Salvador and Machalilla, Ecuador while hatchlings release will be reported for all beaches in the network. In situ nesting will be monitored at the project level for those beaches that are engaged in that effort. Reduce nest loss from poaching to <10% of nests laid for the priority nesting beaches by 2018. Maintain a release rate of >40,000 hatchlings/year across priority nesting beaches by 2018. In situ nests account for ~ 15% of the nesting populations at Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua and Bahia Jiquilisco, El Salvador. To be counted as successful, the poaching/predation rate of in situ nests must remain below 10% by 2020. o Potential stretch goal of 30% in situ nesting across four primary beaches by 2025 if hatchling production rate can be maintained (assessed based on in situ hatching rates from first five years). Adult and Juvenile Populations Increased Annually by Reducing Mortality from Bycatch In-water monitoring data of adult and juvenile sea turtles will be aggregated and provided to NFWF on an annual basis through a monitoring agreement with ICAPO. In addition, bycatch rates (catch per unit effort) will be monitored at the project level for those fisheries that are engaged in that effort to assess the impact bycatch is having on sea turtle populations. Obtain a current mortality rate for blast fishing (quantified), fisheries characterization (effort, regulation, market, etc.) and target mortality rate for blast fishing (reduction) in three hotspot locations of the Bahia Jiquilisco, El Salvador; and one location near Estro Padre Ramos and Aserradores, Nicaragua by 2018. o Economic neutral solution to reach blast fishing reduction target developed and tested by 2025 in at least one of these locations. Obtain a current bycatch rate (quantified), fisheries characterization (effort, regulation, market, etc.) and target bycatch rate (reduction) in two lobster fisheries in the Gulf of Fonseca by 2017. o Economically neutral solution to reach bycatch target developed and tested by 2020 in at least one of the fisheries. Maintain in-water hawksbill numbers at index foraging sites at a rate that is stable or increasing from 2019-2025. Strengthen regional coordination to maintain population-level priorities Success in this strategy will contribute to data and implementation of the strategies and milestones above, but will also be demonstrated by the following intermediate objectives. Annual nesting and in-water monitoring data is provided to NFWF by April 30 th each year by ICAPO. Develop a population model in year five to refine quantified targets necessary for population stabilization and recovery as available data is improved and increased. 17 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Table 1. Core metrics for measuring progress on program focal species goals and strategies. Category Sub-Strategy Metrics 2014 Baseline 2025 Goal Data source(s) Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Population Increase & Maintain Beach Productivity Reduce Mortality from Bycatch Hatchling Lifestage In-water Lifestage Annual # of hatchlings released annually across ICAPO network beaches Annual # of juveniles annually across 5 inwater index sites Nesting Female Lifestage Annual # of annual nesting females 500 Reduce harvest of hawksbill nests Begin transition to in situ nesting Assessment and Prioritization of Critical Nesting Beaches Bycatch assessment and Characterization of lobster gillnet fisheries Mortality assessment and Characterization of blast fisheries Annual # of beaches that support 20 nests or more with nest poaching <10% Annual % of in situ nests on top 4 producing beaches # of miles of coastline assessed for hawksbill nesting # of fisheries with a known bycatch rate and characterization of fishing effort # of fisheries with a known mortality rate and characterization of fishing effort 30,000 40,000-55,000 ICAPO TBD (2017) 1,300 ICAPO >500 (stable or increasing) ICAPO 3 6 ICAPO <10% 15% (30%)* Projects/ ICAPO 2,700 2,700 (3,300)* Projects 0 2 (5)* Projects 0 2 (5)* Projects Reduce bycatch from lobster gillnets Annual % bycatch rate for fishery TBD TBD (2017) Projects Reduce the practice of blast fishing Annual # of turtles lost to blast fishing 4-8 4 (2)* Projects Identify other areas of high-bycatch and # of fisheries assessed for hawksbill 2 13 4 (6)* Projects importance to hawksbills interaction # of data contributors (individual Training and Standardization of data organizations) to ICAPO that have received 25 35 ICAPO collection and reporting training and are using standard methods Strengthen Regional Regional Coordination of Targets and # of active hawksbill projects contributing Coordination to 10 20 ICAPO Evaluation data and lesson s learned with ICAPO Maintain Population- # of Index site projects that that rely on Level Priorities Sustainable Network Beyond NFWF 5 11 Projects NFWF for <30% of their cash budget # of Index site projects have in-country 2 9 Projects cash/in-kind support for direct activities *Initial goals are represented in the first number with stretch goals in the event that implementation proceeds more quickly. Stretch goals are represented in () based on the five-year analysis of hatchling success for in-situ sites (lower than hatcheries) and other fisheries that might be prioritized in year 5 based on progress in implementation and in-water monitoring analysis 13 Assessed sites include Mazatlan in Mexico (no bycatch detected) and Los Cobanos in El Salvador (although the initial study did not accurately quantify this threat). Punta Amapala in El Salvador and La Salvia in Nicaragua are currently underway with support from NFWF, but are not included as baseline as they are not complete at the time of writing. 18 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Funding Needs The following budget reflects the estimated costs that would be needed to implement the activities identified in this business plan. This budget is NOT an annual or even cumulative commitment on behalf of the Foundation s Board of Directors to invest, but rather a guide for investments likely needed to achieve stated goals of the Foundation. The budget accounts for NFWF s estimated engagement over the business plan period of performance; however, we acknowledge that in many cases the activities laid out in the plan will need support from other organizations (some of which were listed in the Conservation Landscape section) to be successful. This budget also assumes that the current threat and funding trajectory continues. Strategy 1 BUDGET CATEGORY YEARS 1-5 YEARS 6-10* TOTAL 1.1 Reduce harvest of hawksbill nests $0.8 M $0.2M $1M 1.2 Transition to sustainable nesting programs $0.5M $0.75M $1.25M 1.3 Assessment and Prioritization of Critical Nesting Beaches $0M $0.2M $0.2M Strategy 2 2.1 Reduce the practice of blast fishing $0.7M $0.3M $1M 2.2 Reduce bycatch from gillnets $0.7M $0.3M $1M 2.3 Identify other areas of high-bycatch and importance to hawksbills $0M $0.6M $0.6M Strategy 3 3.1 Support for Training and Standardization across the network $0.25M $0.25M $0.5M 3.2 Regional Coordination of Targets and Evaluation $0.1M $0.1M $0.2M TOTAL BUDGET $3.05M $2.7M $5.75M * Ultimately the second half of the budget will depend on the findings of 5-year assessment. 19 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Appendix A Conservation Capacity Landscape Some examples of organizational capacity that this plan will draw from include: Established in 2008, the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative or ICAPO for its acronym in Spanish, is a growing network of scientists, managers and conservationists focused on conservation capacity building and foundational science to effectively design and implement management strategies for population recovery. Currently ICAPO is made up of >60 members from all of nine of the countries where hawksbills are found in the ETP. ICAPO spearheaded the discovery of the primary hawksbill nesting and foraging sites in the eastern Pacific and continues to work with in-country partners to manage conservation programs at the sites with the most conservation relevance. Currently, ICAPO is the primary manager of several hawksbill nesting projects, as well as two hawksbill bycatch reduction projects (in El Salvador and Nicaragua), and is spearheading regional in-water monitoring efforts in the ETP. Many of the groups listed below are members of the ICAPO network. Grupo Tourtugero was established in 1998 to address unsustainable bycatch of green sea turtles in northwest Mexico. The organization is made up primarily of former fishermen and poachers that have turned their negative interactions with turtles into a powerful conservation movement in the region. Grupo Tourtugero has engaged in the in-water monitoring of hawksbills along Mexico s Pacific coast at one of the primary foraging hotspots in the region, and will continue to serve in this role. Fauna and Flora International (FFI) has been working in Nicaragua since 1998, focusing on a variety of conservation issues such as preserving dry forests, establishing Ometepe as a Biosphere Reserve and protecting sea turtles. FFI has led the management of the primary nesting beaches for hawksbills in Nicaragua alongside the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Environment and a local hawksbill conservation committee beginning in 2010. FFI has also recently launched a marine conservation capacity building project with funding from the Darwin Initiative that will focus on working with local organizations in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ecuador to give artisanal fishers a voice and role in managing their marine natural resources. Pro-Delphinus has been working predominantly in Peru on bycatch issues for a variety of species of turtles, mammals and birds. The waters of Peru are considered the southern-most boundary for hawksbills in the ETP and thus the species is not as abundant as in other regions. Notwithstanding this perspective, Pro-Delphinus will be a valuable partner in bycatch assessment and reduction efforts based on their knowledge in working with a variety of gears and fisheries in the region. Equilibrio Azul has been striving to conserve marine resources in Ecuador since 2004. Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Ecuador s National Parks, Equilibrio Azul has led management of the primary hawksbill nesting beach in South America and conducted in-water monitoring in Machalilla National Park since 2008. 20 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Government participation Several governments within the EP hawksbill s range have responded to increased attention that the population has brought to their coastal waters and beaches. In particular, the Ministries of the Environment for El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador have stepped up and become intricately involved in hawksbill conservation efforts in their respective countries. Some examples of government support that this plan will build upon are: El Salvador MARN (Ministerio de Recursos Naturales de El Salvador) has actively participated in the annual hawksbill festival held in Bahia de Jiqulisco led by ICAPO-El Salvador. The agency is also considering efforts to potentially create a marine protected area at Punta Amapala, an important nesting and foraging site for the species where intense lobster gillnet fishing occurs, resulting in numerous hawksbill deaths each year. Further, the country s fisheries management agency (CENDEPESCA) participates in the fisheries bycatch research at Punta Amapala. Nicaragua MARENA (Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Nicaragua) has been participating in the annual hawksbill festival carried out at Estero Padre Ramos (EPR) since 2010 and in 2012 took over as the primary organizer of the event. MARENA also provides use of a ranger station to members of the hawksbill conservation project in EPR, run by FFI-Nicaragua in collaboration with ICAPO. The government is also finalizing a re-evaluation of the management plan for the EPR Nature Reserve in which the hawksbill turtle and their primary nesting habitats are considered a principal point of focus. Panama MIABIENTE (Ministry of the Environment Panama) has been a key partner in the program at Coiba National Park. Initiated in 2014 with other partners (including ICAPO, NOAA, Campamento Mayto, Conservation International and MarViva), the bi-annual in-water hawksbill monitoring program at Coiba National Park has shown the area to be the densest hawksbill foraging ground documented to date in the ETP. MIABIENTE has provided boats, staff and lodging for this program and has committed support to additional research trips through 2017. Ecuador MAE (Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador) and National Parks of Ecuador have provided staff that have worked alongside Equilibrio Azul to monitoring hawksbill nesting at La Playita beach, within Machalilla National Park, since 2008. In 2015 MAE designated the primary beach La Playita, which was formerly open to tourists, as a restricted access site (research only) and is currently building an interpretive center overlooking the beach to highlight the importance of the beach for hawksbills in South America. USAID launched the MAREA Project in 2011 which focused on protecting Central America s ecosystems with sustainable solutions in four primary areas, including the Gulf of Fonseca. The Gulf of Fonseca region includes the primary hawksbill nesting sites at Bahia de Jiquilisco (El Salvador) and Estero Padre Ramos (Nicaragua). Working in close collaboration with ICAPO, this project developed a specific focus on hawksbill turtle conservation, with a particular emphasis on measures to improve local socioeconomic conditions through efforts (employment, incentives, tourism, etc.) focused on conserving the species. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has co-funded several projects with NFWF and others to support the hawksbill population through the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund. The USFWS also coordinates internal efforts to provide coordinated actions to benefit sea turtles through their role on the Inter- American Sea Turtle Convention (IAC). 21 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

NOAA has played an active role in the EP hawksbill conservation movement since its inception starting with support of the first workshop on Hawksbill Turtles in the Eastern Pacific, during which participants established the ICAPO network. Since 2008 NOAA has provided more than 30 satellite telemetry tags and genetics lab support time, leading to the discovery of key information of EP hawksbills and the direct publication of four peer-reviewed journal articles. NOAA has also provided flipper tags for hawksbill monitoring programs (administered through the ICAPO network) throughout the region, as well as PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags for the primary hawksbill nesting beaches and for the long-term in-water monitoring program managed by ICAPO and set to initiate in 2016. 22 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Appendix B Expanded Narrative on Conservation Goal Figure 1. Number of documented (black line) and projected (colored lines) reproductive female hawksbills under three separate NFWF funding scenarios: No further investment (red line), Some investment levels (green line), which maintains three primary nesting protection projects at $100,000/year and Increased investment (blue line) include activities budgeted for in this plan. Graph assumes all non-nfwf funding is static for conservation efforts. The graph above depicts these challenges as we evaluate tracking progress to the nesting female goal. The earliest hawksbill nest conservation efforts began in Bahia de Jiquilisco, Machalilla, Los Cobanos and Punta Amapala in 2008, followed by Estero Padre Ramos in 2010, and Aserradores in 2014. These initial efforts are collectively referred to as initial investments on the graph above during which time nesting populations were largely being discovered and nest protection/hatchling recruitment began. The hawksbill turtle is a long-lived species with 20-40 years required before reaching the sexual maturity 14, thus any hatchings protected during the Initial investment stage would not reach maturity and return to the beach to be counted until 2028 or later. The second phase in the graph, hatchling maturation from initial and subsequent investment phase, is also prior to the development of new nesting females. This phase is the proposed duration of the business plan and accounts not only for hatchlings from 2008-2014 in the growing to maturity, but also those released during subsequent (2016 and beyond) years as well. The year 2028 is the earliest we would expect to find new females resulting from previous conservation efforts. However, not all of the turtles from the first year of conservation will be sexually mature, only the earliest developers. Consequently as the years continue (post-2028), more hatchlings will have developed into mature females and the curve will continue to increase. Additionally, 14 Hawksbills mature very slowly, taking 20 to 40 years, and so are long-lived (Chaloupka and Musick 1997). 23 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

hatchlings released as a result of conservation investments in the second maturation phase would also begin to develop into sexual mature individuals, creating an additional increase in females post-2028 and causing and exponential increase in the population size. Nonetheless, the slope of the exponential increase will largely depend on the conservation investments made over the next 15+ years. Figure 2. Number of hawksbill hatchlings produced (documented and projected) in the ETP base on three different NFWF funding scenarios: No further investment (red line), Some investment levels (green line) maintains two primary nesting protection projects at $100,000/year and Increased investment (blue line) include activities budgeted for in this plan. Graph assumes all non-nfwf funding is static for conservation efforts. To examine this relationship of new recruits to the population more closely, Figure 2 represents the known and projected number of hawksbill hatchlings in the ETP under three separate NFWF funding scenarios: No further investment (red line), Some investment (green line) and Increased investment (blue line). Hatchling numbers for the initial investment phase are actual data collected from the nesting projects between 2008-2014 15. Variation in the number of hatchlings per year under all three scenarios is a result of natural variation in the number of nesting hawksbills (and hence, nests) each season. For all years post 2014 the number of hatchlings per year was calculated by using a random number between the minimum and maximum number of hatchlings produced across all sites combined between 2008-2014. This allows the Foundation to track progress on production to the population across the life of the business plan as a component to achieving stated goals. 15 While many of these activities/gains were achieved with NFWF support, the business plan projects goals and investments from 2017-2028. 24 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Hatchling scenarios: 1) No further investment Under this scenario NFWF would no longer provide any funding for hawksbill nest conservation in the ETP. As can be seen in Figure 2, the red line for the number of hatchlings would immediately decline because NFWF provides significant funding for nest conservation across the region. Using perceived contributions from alternative funders, a minimal number of hawksbill hatchlings would continue to be produced, but well below current numbers. There is a no increase in the number of hatchlings at the tail end of the projections due to limited mature females being added to the population (results of conservation from 2008-2014). 2) Some investment Under this scenario NFWF would maintain current (2015) investments in hawksbill nest conservation in the ETP (roughly $100,000). As can be seen in figure 2, the green line for the number of hatchlings produced maintains a trend line level with hatchlings produced in 2014 (with natural fluctuations due to the aforementioned nesting variation). Existing nest conservation efforts would continue, but recently (and potentially future) sites would not be protected due to increased funding needed to do so. There is a slight increase in the average number of hatchlings at the tail end of the projections due to the maturation of female turtles. 3) Increased investment - Under this scenario NFWF would increase its current (2015) investments in hawksbill nest conservation in the ETP to levels outlined in this business plan. As can be seen in figure 2, the blue line for the number of hatchlings produced increases from current levels as conservation organizations have the funding necessary to protect nests at recently (and potentially future) discovered nesting sites. There is the greatest increase in the average number of hatchlings at the tail end of the projections under this scenario due to the maturation of a substantial number female turtles, who add to the net number of eggs and hatchlings deposited and produced, respectively. Of note is that this is the only scenario under which we would expect to reach 1000-1500 nesting female population goal in the next 20 years (see Nesting female scenarios above). Based on the calculations used for Figure 2, we can revisit Figure 1 (copied below as Figure 3) to further understand the projections of the reproductive female hawksbill population in the ETP under the three separate NFWF funding scenarios: No further investment (red line), Some investment (green line) and Increased investment (blue line). Nesting female turtles for the initial investment phase are actual data collected from the nesting projects between 2008-2014. For all years post 2014 the number of nesting females per year is calculated by taking the projected number of hatchlings produced per year and multiplying it by a survival factor of 0.001 (Hirth and Shaffer, 1974; Richardson & Richardson, 1982). 25 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Figure 3. Number of documented (black line) and projected (colored lines) reproductive female hawksbills under three separate NFWF funding scenarios: No further investment (red line), Some investment levels (green line) maintains two primary nesting protection projects at $100,000/year and Increased investment (blue line) include activities budgeted for in this plan. Graph assumes all non-nfwf funding is static for conservation efforts. Nesting female scenario explanations: 1) No further investment Under this scenario in 2015 and beyond the red line for the number of females increases slightly as some female turtles will be identified at recently discovered nesting beaches. However, with reduced funding this number will be limited and identifying females at new nesting beaches will not occur. The number of new females identified is gradual as there is reduced funding to run operations and thus less females are observed than would occur in the other scenarios. It would take approximately until 2025 to have identified the majority of nesting females at the known nesting beaches. At this point the curve asymptotes as essentially all the nesting females to be identified with the available funding would be achieved. At the tail-end of the projection there is a lack of up-tick in the number of females as hatchling production had declined under this scenario (see Hatchling scenarios) and thus fewer new females are making it to adulthood. 2) Some investment The green line for the number of number of females increases faster in this scenario than under the no further investment scenario as programs are able to maintain beach monitoring activities at current levels and thus more rapidly identify females. Nonetheless, the red and green lines asymptote and merge around 2025 as they would essentially identify the same females, but under this scenario it would be achieved more quickly. At the tail-end of the projection there is a substantial up-tick in the number of females as hatchling production under this scenario (see Hatchling scenarios) was maintained at current (2015) levels and a moderate number of those hatchlings matured to adulthood. 3) Increased investment - The blue line for the number of females increases faster than under 26 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

either of the previous two scenarios. Furthermore, because increased funding is available, conservation groups would be able to identify additional nesting beaches and females, which would not be achieved under the other two scenarios, hence the line asymptotes at a level higher than under either of the previous scenarios. At the tail-end of the projection there is the maximum up-tick in the number of females as hatchling production under this scenario (see Hatchling scenarios) was maximized and the optimal proportion of those hatchlings matured as adults. As described earlier, this is the only scenario under which we would expect to reach 1000-1500 nesting female population goal in the next 20 years. 27 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Appendix C Figure 1. Map of nesting productivity at priority eastern Pacific hawksbill nesting sites with >20 nests annually, which are prioritized for this business plan. Several other sites receive limited or occasional nests from Mexico to Ecuador, but they are very scattered and may only be 1-2 nests and not consistent annually. Sites will be re-evaluated for their importance and need of mitigation in an assessment to take place in year five. 28 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Results of In-Water Assessment (Figures 2-4) Figure 2. Abundance was calculated by a normalized CPUE for all sites. Because of the reproductive potential of adult turtles and the disproportionate importance of this life-stage to hawksbill recovery and survival, sites where adult hawksbills have been documented during monitoring and/or satellite telemetry activities were given additional scores, including 0.25 for sites where one adult has been documented and 0.5 where two or more adults have been documented. Each site was subsequently ranked by importance for hawksbills using a scoring matrix based on the CPUE. 29 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Figure 3. The hawksbill threat ranking involved the evaluatin of a total of four variables to account for threats, including 1) Isolation of site, 2) Fisheries, 3) Habitat destruction and 4) Protected area (citation). Further information was also collected to begin to characterize the threats when encountered. 30 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l

Figure 4. Map of Overall Habitat Conservation Priority was derived from the abundance and threat ranking scores for each of the 31 sites surveyed. Nine sites fell in the top tier as in greatest need for mitigation/protection, from a total of four countries, Bahia Jiquilisco (El Salvador), Machalilla (Ecuador), Estero Padre Ramos (Nicaragua), Punta Coyote (Costa Rica), Estero Jaltepeque (El Salvador), Punta Amapala (El Salvador), Aserradores (Nicaragua), El Ancian 31 E a s t e r n P a c i f i c H a w k s b i l l