Sea turtle data were collected for WATS II by the Endangered 

 Species Program, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) , 

 Southeast Fisheries Center (SEFC) , Miami Laboratory, in Miami, 

 Florida, from 1984 until October 1987. These were reports on 

 aerial and beach surveys, position papers and research status 

 reports, poster session abstracts, and National Reports. The 

 titles, authors, and preparation dates, except for the poster 

 session abstracts, are included in Appendix 2 here. Information 

 or questions pertaining to these reports should be obtained from 

 the authors. Ross Witham maintained the listing and copies of 

 the reports during the symposium. Pedro Gonzales coordinated the 

 logistics between the Symposium and the University of Puerto 

 Rico, Mayaquez. 



A report on the accomplishments of WATS I and actions of and 

 plans for WATS II were prepared and presented to the 1986 meeting 

 of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Association for the 

 Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (lOCARIBE) by the executive 

 secretary. The principals fully endorsed the continued lOCARIBE 

 sponsorship of WATS. 



Letters were sent to the appropriate officials in the 38 

 countries in the WATS area by the president and the chair of 

 lOCARIBE. These letters requested that each country officially 

 participate in WATS II by 1) designating a national 

 representative who would represent the country at the symposium, 

 2) collecting sea turtle data on populations and socioeconomics, 

 and 3) preparing a national report and presenting it to the 

 symposium. 



The program for the symposium meeting was developed in a 

 planning meeting of the executive committee and other cooperating 

 individuals. Topics were selected. Panel sessions were 

 structured. Speakers, chairs, and panel members were nominated. 

 Karen Bjorndal served as program chairman. The secretary 

 solicited the nominated participants and then additions and 

 replacement for the required positions. 



A WATS II mailing list of more than 1,000 individuals and 

 organizations with sea turtle interest was developed. Notices of 

 the symposium meeting were mailed to all. 



The Mayaguez International Hilton Hotel was the symposium 

 headquarters. The executive committee met Saturday afternoon, 10 

 October, and Sunday morning, 11 October and every morning through 

 Friday, 16 October. The national representatives held their 

 first meeting, with the executive committee on Sunday afternoon. 

 Two caucuses were held Monday morning, 12 October — one for the 

 national representatives and the other for panel chairs, 

 speakers, members, rapporteurs, and editors. 



