CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^277mixed and contain more silt and clay. There are about 100,000 acres of this subtype in state
jurisdictional waters.
Contentions affecting the quality of this habitat are water pollution and dredging. Oil and gas
exploration and shipping increase the chances of oil spills in the vicinity of the barrier island shores.
Marine habitats are apparently secure but there is some cause for long-term concern due to the increased
potential for oil spills.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
MARINE HABITATS (SMOOTH BOTTOMS)
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Pelagic Birds 1
Sterna maxima Royal Tern 2
Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern 2
Sterna antillarum Least Tern 2
Sterna nilotica Gull-Billed Tern 2
Reptiles Lepidochelys kempii Kemp's or Atlantic Ridley 1
Caretta caretta Loggerhead; Cabezon 2
Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback; Tinglar 3
Chelonia mydas Green Turtle 3
Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill; Carey 4
THREATS TO MARINE HABITATS (SMOOTH BOTTOMS)
Over Exploitation/Incidental Capture high
Invasive Species: Jellyfish medium
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Oil/Chemical Spills medium
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Marine Litter and Overboard Discharge medium
Industrial Development: Exploratory Drilling, Pipelines, LNG low
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Monitor/address SGCN harvest/over harvest issues (including bycatch or incidental take).
A Monitor/limit commercial/residential/industrial point source erosion and sedimentation or
pollution into streams/atmosphere.
A Improve environmental review and permit process and oversight and enforcement of existing