Arendt et al.: Temporal trends and influences on fishery-independent catch rates for Caretta caretta in an important coastal foraging region 481 
ulation is vulnerable to capture (Hilborn and Walters, 
1992). As such, the data presented herein support the 
use of trawl survey data to assess abundance trends for 
sea turtles, at least in habitats where potential damage 
to the seafloor or to the sampling gear itself does not 
preclude the use of such surveys. In areas where dense, 
live bottom occurs, alternative sampling methods would 
be required; within the geographic region associated 
with this study, such alternative methods could include 
visually sampled transects, given increased distribution 
of live-bottom habitats farther from shore (Van Dolah et 
al. 3 ) where underwater visibility is improved. 
Provided that sea turtle capture rates are expressed 
relative to a standardized and robust effort term (such 
as linear kilometer used in this study), comparisons 
among habitats and sampling methods should still be 
valid. Furthermore, given the large size distribution 
of loggerhead sea turtles captured in this study, where 
dense live bottom was not routinely sampled, evaluation 
of size-based habitat preferences is a salient manage- 
ment need. We, therefore, recommend that the data 
collection and analytical techniques presented herein 
be expanded to foraging grounds conducive to trawling 
across geographically diverse areas. This action would 
allow the most complete data on in-water catch to be 
considered with nest trend data, and in turn would 
promote comprehensive decision-making regarding the 
management of protected sea turtle species in neritic 
habitats. 
Acknowledgments 
B. Schroeder, S. Epperly, T. Henwood, C. Ryder, D. Ber- 
nhardt, M. Dodd, R. Boettcher, T. Murphy, S. Hopkins- 
Murphy, G. Reikerk, F. Holland, C. Moore, and K. Iverson 
contributed to the design of this study. B. Stender, R. 
Vendetti, P. Maier, and L. Ligouri provided valuable pro- 
gram support. We thank numerous captains and crews 
as well as a plethora of seasonal staff and volunteers 
for tireless support in the field. Funding was provided 
by NOAA Fisheries grants NA97FL0375, NA07FL0499, 
NA03NMF4720281, and NA08NMF4720502. A. Strand, 
S. Arnott, and S. Raborn guided us through advanced 
statistics. Research was authorized under section 10(a) 
(1)(A) permits (no. 1245, 1540, 15566), GADNR permits 
(no. 1141, 21303), and FWC permits (no. 140, 163). This 
article is contribution 694 from the South Carolina 
Department of Natural Resources. 
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