![]() The Rescue Team also continues to contribute to the mark-recapture research study conducted by Dr. To date, our field biologists have identified and cataloged more than 126 dolphins using pictures taken of their dorsal fins. Future plans include expanding the survey area further out into the Gulf of Mexico. The Research Team currently surveys the intracoastal waters and three miles out in the Gulf of Mexico for three counties (Pinellas, Pasco, and a portion of Hernando). With the receipt of a General Authorization for Scientific Research permit from NOAA, CMA expanded its wild dolphin dorsal identification research program in August of 2016. Individual identification of members during photo identification studies assist with the attainment of information on group structure, site fidelity, movement patterns and population size. Because of their unique nature, pictures of dorsal fins are used to identify wild dolphins. Also, a dolphin’s dorsal fin acquires various scars and markings during the dolphin’s lifetime. Each dorsal fin has its own unique shape, height, thickness, markings and notches. Like a human fingerprint, no two dorsal fins are exactly the same. Opportunistic photos of bottlenose dolphins are taken during CMA’s Dolphin Adventure eco-boat tour using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Dolphin SMART guidelines. Wild bottlenose dolphins from Dorsal ID study Dolphin Dorsal Fin Photo IndentificationĬlearwater Marine Aquarium initiated the dolphin dorsal fin photo identification study in August 2013 to document the ecology of the bottlenose dolphin population of Clearwater Bay and Clearwater Harbor. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-263. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Keep it dark!Īll marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Close your curtains and be mindful of bright lights shining on the beach. Turn out unnecessary beach lights to help prevent disorientation of female sea turtles and hatchlings. For nesting females, artificial lights can deter them from emerging onto a beach at all, forcing them to select less optimal nesting sites to deposit their clutch.They crawl toward that light wasting precious energy they need to reach the ocean. The reflection of the moon and stars over the water usually creates the brightest horizon, but on developed beaches, lots of artificial light (street lights, exterior/interior lights on homes, decorative lighting, etc.) confuse the turtle and cause them to think that those sources of light are where the water is. Under natural conditions, hatchlings and adult use brightness to guide them to the water from the beach.In 2021, 281 nests were observed yielding over 8,000 sea turtle hatchlings. How many nests were reported during the 2021 nesting season? To the county, we also include weekly escarpment surveys and lighting surveys. To FWC, we report nests, false crawls, disorientation events, obstruction events, predation and vandalism. We report our annual nesting data to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Pinellas County. What does the sea turtle nesting team report? Primarily, we encounter loggerheads nesting on our beaches but on rare occasions have encountered Kemp’s ridleys or green sea turtles. Generally, we find our first nest of the season in early to mid-May and the females will continue nesting until the middle of August. After a nest has hatched we wait at least 72 hours then excavate the nest and do an inventory of its contents to determine hatching success. Hatching activity is identified by tracks emerging from the nest sites. Loggerhead incubation time is about two months. We primarily observe loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity in Pinellas County. We mark the nests and collect various measurements from the nest site in order to properly monitor it throughout the season. Once tracks are located, we determine whether there is a nest present or if it was a non-nesting emergence, AKA false crawl. Initially, our teams of volunteers, staff and interns search along the high tide line for evidence of sea turtle nesting, namely marks in the sand left by crawling females. ![]() Our morning patrols reach the beach just before sunrise 7 days a week. Beginning April 15, Clearwater Marine Aquarium patrols approximately 21 miles of beach along North Pinellas County. Sea turtle nesting season extends from May 1 through Oct. All You Need to Know About Sea Turtle Nesting Season
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