| The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is a highly migratory, trans-boundary marine species. Canadian waters provide critical foraging habitat for leatherback turtles, and since 2002 leatherbacks have been protected by Canada' s federal endangered species legislation, the Species at Risk Act, 2002. In order to fully protect such species, national governments must address the protection and recovery of the species at both domestic and international levels. This thesis investigates (i) SARA's ability to protect Atlantic leatherback turtles both within Canada and internationally, (ii) Canada's involvement in international agreements and documents that aim to provide for the protection of leatherbacks, and (iii) the US approach to protecting leatherback turtles via the Endangered Species Act, 1973.;This research suggests that SARA has several weaknesses which limit its ability to fully protect leatherbacks within Canada and internationally. Furthermore, the US approach to protecting marine turtles in domestic waters and internationally appears, in some instances, to be more effective than Canada's. If Canada is serious about protecting marine migratory species, the Government of Canada should address SARA's weaknesses through amendments to the legislation, look to the US legislation as a possible example to follow, and take a greater role in protecting species at the international level. |
