The ESA: a win for turtles and marine mammals

Abel Valdivia, Shaye Wolf and Kieran Suckling assessed the efficacy of the ESA for populations of 14 marine mammals and five sea turtles. Their review, published in PLoS One this year, looked at the population trends and recovery status for these species, all of which were protected by the Act before 2012. They found that populations overwhelmingly showed increases after their listing and that these increases were generally for species like large whales, manatees and turtles that had been listed for more than 20 years. The conservation actions that came into effect as a result of ESA listing (no exploitation or trade, targeted management, fishery regulations) helped achieve species recoveries. This meant that most populations increased, and some species were eventually delisted from the ESA. An assessment such as this is vital in the light of recent political arguments against laws like the ESA. The study provides evidence that when we intervene appropriately and in time with suitable policies, funding and management tools, we are able to bring species back from the brink. As more and more ocean species teeter on the edge of collapse, strong arguments for decisive action are essential.