Grant: 24-023C
Project Title: UTV for Incidental Hook and Line Capture Response at Local Fishing Pier
Project Manager: Tabitha Siegfried
Organization: Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Foundation (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $13,391.40
Completion Date:
Summary: The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Foundation has played an active role in responding to live hook and line, incidental capture stranding calls at the Okaloosa Island Fishing pier for the last six years. Over the last three years we have seen a substantial increase in the number of hooked turtles from Okaloosa Island Fishing pier. Our current process for responding to live stranded turtles from the pier is very laborious, requires many people to assist, and often the turtle is not recovered. In 2023, we received over 75 calls that a sea turtle was hooked on the pier; however, we only successfully retrieved and brought into rehab 16 individuals. We are planning to station a rotation of volunteers at the pier during peak and after normal hours, as well as continue to respond from our facility when needed. To facilitate this, this project will purchase a Mule SX side by side with accessories, accompanied with a deer hoist that we will modify to sit on the back of the UTV, this allows the sea turtle rescue net to extend out over the pier. A sea turtle carrier serves as a rescue net and/or a transport net when dealing with these large 200 lbs., animals. The UTV will be wrapped with both the C.A.R.E. Center logo and the Sea Turtle License Plate logo as well as sea turtle imagery. This wrapping will encourage pier goers to interact with staff and volunteers when sitting on the pier; therefore, allowing us to educate and promote the conservation of Florida's sea turtles.
Results: