What are the genetic risks of relocating hatchlings from the northern Gulf to the east central Florida coast?
Review of existing scientific literature and discussions with experts during plan development indicated that some portion of loggerheads produced on northern Gulf beaches migrate to the Atlantic and spend potions of their life cycle away from the Gulf of Mexico. This is based on the presence of some loggerheads with a northern Gulf of Mexico genetic signature in the Atlantic. While there may be a risk of possible increased gene flow across loggerhead recovery units, it is not outside the proposed Northwest Atlantic Distinct Population Segment and would likely not be on a scale of conservation concern.
