Grant: 15-006R
Project Title: Research vessel for in-water assessment of juvenile sea turtles in the Indian River Lagoon
Project Manager: Dr. Kate Mansfield
Organization: University of Central Florida (Research and Educational Institute)
Grant Amount: $15,700.65
Completion Date: 2016-09-15
Summary: Since 1982, the University of Central Florida's Marine Turtle Research
Group (MTRG) has conducted a long-term assessment of juvenile marine turtle population
structure and abundance in the Indian River Lagoon System (IRL). This is among the longest,
continuous in-water studies on wild-caught neritic juvenile sea turtles in the world. Study
objectives includes (1) documenting the species and population structure of immature marine
turtles utilizing this area as developmental habitats; (2) monitoring for changes in relative turtle
abundance over time; and (3) monitoring the relative condition of the turtles including the
prevalence of Fibropapillomatosis over time (Ehrhart 1983; Ehrhart and Redfoot, 1992; Ehrhart
and Redfoot 1995; Ehrhart et al. 2007; Hirama and Ehrhart 2007). The MTRG conducts
sampling trips twice a month in the IRL, just south of the Sebastian Inlet. Turtles are captured for
this study using two, 228 m tangle nets and three research vessels (one larger "work-up" boat,
and two smaller "net tenders"). Our research vessels are close to 40 years old and in disrepair;
the cost of annual repairs exceeds basic operating costs and safety of students and researchers is
now a concern. This project has historically been under-funded, supported by donations,
volunteers, and hand-me-down equipment. Data from this project provides state and federal
managers with important information on the relative health and population of loggerhead
(Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles. Our project also provides researchers
from other institutions and agencies with hard-to-obtain samples (blood and tissue), and has
provided documentary film crews with footage to raise public awareness of Florida's imperiled
marine turtles and conservation efforts. We also host on-site visits from visiting researchers,
students, conservation VIPs, international delegations, among many others, resulting in a broad
public impact. To continue our work and ensure consistency in data collection over time, new
boats are needed. This project will allow MTRG to purchase a new 17 foot "net tender" boat.
Results: Upon receipt of the grant, we tweeted (@UCFTurtleLab) and posted the good news on our social media sites (Facebook, Twitter), tagging the Sea Turtle Conservancy with each post. Updated quote requests and conversations with the boat company regarding a custom build were initiated in late May/June 2015. The internal University of Central Florida process to purchase the new boat was initiated in July 2015. The purchasing department required that we obtain and submit quotes from multiple sources to justify the cost of the boat as well as the type of boat to be purchased. This resulted in additional paperwork and written justifications (especially considering that 17’ catamaran power boats are a rare item). The final purchase order (see attached copy) was placed in October. The boat was custom-built by the manufacturer and delivered early 2016 (January). Summer 2016 update: shortly after the initial test run, we encountered an additional fuel line problem and again sent the boat back to the manufacturer to fix things. We were finally able to put the boat to work as of late July 2016. It now runs well and has become our new net deployment boat, replacing one of the 40-year-old Boston Whalers in the fleet.