Grant: 26-029R
Project Title: Nesting parameters and habitat use of green turtles in southeast Florida: year 2
Project Manager: Sarah Hirsch
Organization: Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $26,600.00
Completion Date:
Summary: Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting along Florida's coast are showing signs of recovery following decades of conservation, yet critical information on their reproductive behavior and habitat use remains limited. In particular, accurate estimates of clutch frequency and inter-nesting movements are needed to refine population assessments and guide conservation strategies. This project represents the second year of a multi-year effort to satellite track nesting green turtles in southeast Florida. In 2026, five females will be equipped with satellite transmitters at the start of their nesting season to document complete breeding cycles, inter-nesting intervals, and post-nesting migrations to foraging grounds. This builds upon a successful 2025 pilot project that achieved a 75% full data return rate, confirming the feasibility of tagging early in the nesting season. Preliminary results found clutch frequency of six to seven nests and identified key foraging destinations in Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys. By expanding the tracking dataset and integrating behavioral and spatial analyses, this work will improve understanding of green turtle reproductive ecology, identify nearshore habitats vulnerable to human disturbance, and support management strategies. All tracking results will be shared through Loggerhead Marinelife Center's public website and outreach programs to engage the public in sea turtle conservation.
Results: