Sea Turtle Habitat Use and Abundance in Eastern Louisiana Waters
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; State of Louisiana; US Department of the Interior
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$1,681,993
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Monitoring and Observations
Targeted Resources
Other
Project Description
This targeted data collection and analysis project will include two years of field work in Chandeleur Sound and Lake Borgne, Louisiana and one year of data analysis, focused primarily on loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles. The goal of this Monitoring and Adaptive Management (MAM) activity is to provide updated information on sea turtle habitat use and abundance in eastern LA waters through satellite tagging, salinity and health assessments to inform restoration planning and restoration evaluation in the LA Restoration Area. The objectives are to document sea turtle distribution and habitat use in Louisiana; to understand how and where important habitats overlap with known threats; and to inform the development of MAM Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely (SMART) objectives for sea turtles. This work will directly benefit the Trustees’ ability to effectively restore sea turtles in LA waters and to inform and evaluate the success of future sea turtle restoration efforts.
Contact
Christina Fellas(727) 551-5714
christina.fellas@noaa.gov
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/