Reported By: WPTV Staff
February 14, 2007
Researchers at Juno Beach's marinelife center are carefully monitoring the hawksbill sea turtle off our coast.
It's a unique project aimed at learning more about this endangered species.
They are the graceful giants of the deep drifted over our reefs leaving us in awe of their presence whether full grown or just hatched.
"These are healthy hawksbill turtles found in front of the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach."
Larry Wood heads up a unique research project based out of Juno Beach's Marine Life Center. It's called the Sea Turtle Grants Program and since mid 2004 he and fellow associates have taken a closer look at the hawksbill which to date hasn't ever been done in such a systematic way.
"Through all sea turtles research that's done around the world, certainly in Florida nobody before our project has really even tried to categorize or learn about the hawksbill turtles."
The project focuses on learning about the species specifically in Florida waters since according to Wood, the hawkbill generally does not nest in the sunshine state.
We dropped in on one of many field studies for a first hand account of the tolerant marine turtle. In this case, the hawksbill has already been tagged. When one is found without a tag the project kicks into gear.
Wood carefully grips the turtles bringing them to the surface comfortably holding them before the boat arrives.
On board, measurements are taken, blood is drawn, and tags are put in place. So far 94 hawksbills from Juno Beach to south Palm Beach have been captured, tagged and sampled in his study. All valuable information to better understand the significant population which inhabits our reefs and feeds on sponges.
"They have a specialized beak they get the name hawksbill because the beak resembles eagle hawk or some type of raptor they're able to get that beak into nooks and cranies in reef."
Wood's genetic analysis of this endangered species has paved the way for new findings such as their existence throughout the Caribbean as far away as Grenada. Just one more way a project here at home is opening the door to understanding the future of this admired animal.
"If we can make a relationship between these turtles and these reefs how important the reefs are to this important sea turtle population we hope we can also protect reefs out there."
Larry Woods project is funded by Florida's sea turtle license plate and permitted by the state and federal government.
HAWKSBILL TURTLES
Touching sea turtles is prohibited so remember-- only officially licensed people can do so.
For more information on this story log onto www.marinelife.org
For more information on Hawksbill Turtles, log onto: www.turtles.org
