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Green Turtle
cHELONIA MYDAS
POPULATION STUDY
In Brevard County, an isolated shallow nearshore reef resides from the shoreline out to approximately 150m along a 14.5-kilometer stretch of beach. East Coast Biologists, Inc. began a study of the marine turtle population using the nearshore hardbottom reefs in this area in 2003. Researchers observed juvenile green turtles and, occasionally, a loggerhead sea turtle over the nearshore reefs.
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These nearshore reefs provide shelter from predators like sharks and macroalgae for growing juvenile green sea turtles to forage on. Genetic data showed most of these turtles inhabiting the reefs in our study area hatched from the beaches as far away as Tortuguero, Cost Rica!
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To better understand the importance of this habitat, researchers placed acoustic transmitters on 15 juvenile green turtles to learn whether turtles are “residents” or “transients” just passing through. Results of acoustic tracking and recapture data indicated juvenile green turtles use this nearshore habitat anywhere from 30 days to a year or longer.
NUTRITIONAL STUDY
Chelonia mydas
We are pleased to announce the Sea Turtle Grants Program awarded East Coast Biologists, Inc. with funding to support our study to determine the nutritional value (e.g., protein, lipid, carbohydrate) of macroalgae consumed by juvenile green turtles. Baseline data on turtle foraging are necessary to adequately measure habitat modification wrought by climate change, coastal development, and pollution inputs. Data from this study will contribute to our baseline knowledge for growth and health of wild populations and support sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.​
The Sea Turtle Grants Program is funded from proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate. Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.
ACOUSTIC STUDY
Chelonia mydas
Habitat loss poses a serious threat to sea turtles. Our acoustic study explored how juvenile green turtles use artificial reefs designed to offset habitat impacts from Brevard County’s Beach Restoration Project.
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Installed in 2019 at ~5 m depth, the reefs were built to provide foraging opportunities and refuge if nearshore reefs were buried by sand replenishment. Early observations of green and loggerhead turtles using these reefs offer valuable insights to help coastal managers evaluate the role of artificial reefs in sea turtle conservation.
The Sea Turtle Grants Program is funded from proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate. Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.