Inwater Research Group Inc.
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: United States (contiguous)
Organization / Project Name: Inwater Research Group - Big Bend
Website: www.inwater.org
Email: admin@inwater.org
Description: Since 2012, IRG has been exploring the coastal waters of Florida’s Big Bend region. Without sandy beaches and no sea turtle nesting, the area has been overlooked in sea turtle conservation. However, the region’s vast seagrass beds, sponges, and rocky outcroppings are attractive for multiple species and sizes of sea turtles. Primarily working in the waters near Crystal River, FL IRG has captured almost 400 turtles across four different species, with Kemp’s ridley and green turtles being the most abundant. Visual surveys and low recapture rates suggest some of the highest sea turtle densities IRG has ever documented. IRG’s ability to consistently capture turtles at this study site has led to partnerships with researchers from across the United States. These researchers have collected data to study sea turtle health, disease prevalence, movement, and more. The vast seagrass beds are relatively undisturbed and provide plentiful foraging for green turtles in the area. We expected the turtles to be in pristine health. However, IRG has documented fibropapillomatosis, a viral disease that affects sea turtle health, in 70% of the green turtles. The rate is higher than sites where polluted waters are thought to promote the disease. We are currently working with our collaborators to better understand why so many green turtles are affected by fibropapillomatosis here. Big Bend’s waters are vast, and each trip brings new insights and even more questions. IRG’s research in Big Bend has been supported by multiple funding agencies since its inception.
Species of focus: Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Loggerheads (Caretta caretta)
Volunteer program: No
Tourist activities (Y/N): No
Primary Areas of Work: Toxin sampling, Environmental education/community outreach, In water research, Genetic sampling
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/inwaterresearch
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/inwaterresearch