Reducing Threats to Sea Turtles through Removal of In-water Marine Debris along Florida’s Gulf Coast
Implementing Organization
State of Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$3,667,400
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Sea Turtles
Project Description
The project will reduce the threat and impacts (e.g., entanglement, entrapment, ingestion) of marine debris to Deepwater Horizon-injured sea turtle species in Florida, with a primary focus on in-water derelict fishing gear (e.g., monofilament fishing line, nets, trap/pot gear, other recreational/commercial fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded). This project will support actions identified in the Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan. The Florida Trustee Implementation Group (FL TIG) would coordinate implementation of this project with the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group (RW TIG), which has approved its own marine debris project. Specifically, the project will: • Identify marine debris “hotspots” that impact, or have the potential to impact, sea turtles in Florida. Data would be compiled from federal and state agencies and other relevant partners (e.g., Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network partners, rescue/rehabilitation organizations, NGOs, dive operators); • Reduce the number of, and potential for, marine debris-related incidences at up to 16 hotspots using the following techniques, as appropriate: 1. Remove marine debris: Includes enhancing support (e.g., capacity, equipment, fuel) for debris removal events, including the use of professional divers or marine salvage crews around deep structures. Debris removal may be a one-time or multi-event effort depending on the degree/frequency of debris accumulation, impact on sea turtles, cost, and logistics. Debris removal may be conducted in coordination with or to enhance existing marine debris networks (e.g., Gulf Coast clean-ups) or as additional s...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Gareth Leonard(850) 617-9452
gareth.leonard@myfwc.com
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/