Documenting Sea Turtle Nesting in Louisiana
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; State of Louisiana; US Department of the Interior
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$2,618,000
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 activity will compile and collect data relative to sea turtle nesting and nesting habitat in Louisiana to further inform the approach identified in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment: Strategic Framework for Sea Turtle Restoration Activities Version 1. The data will be used to enhance sea turtle hatchling productivity, and restore and conserve nesting beach habitat. The specific objectives are to: 1) establish a baseline of sea turtle nesting effort and locations on Louisiana's coastline; 2) characterize the nesting beach environment; 3) inform future decisions related to the need for systematic nesting surveys; and 4) refine restoration objectives for nesting sea turtles. Task 1: Evaluate existing data sets and literature relevant to nesting sea turtles and beach characteristics in Louisiana. (Year 1). Task 2: Conduct census of sea turtle nesting on all suitable mainland and barrier island beaches in Louisiana as feasible. (Years 2 and 3). Task 3: Assess beach characteristics for mainland and barrier island beaches in Louisiana where sea turtles are found nesting. (Year 2); Task 4: Analyze the data and produce a report of findings to include. (Year 4).
Contact
Nanciann Regalado(678) 296-6805
nanciann_regalado@fws.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/