Research in the Press!!

Jun 25, 2021

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Research in the Press!! 
Image taken conducting authorized research under FWC MTP-19-205
We recently completed the first phase of my research, which was deploying the first acoustic tags on nesting leatherback sea turtles in the United States!! With the help of Upwell Turtles, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and Inwater Research Group, we were able to attach five acoustic tags on nesting leatherbacks to gather preliminary movement data. We are looking to update their foraging grounds, with the ultimate goal of performing in-water drone surveys to measure the body condition on foraging turtles.
Click the link below to read an interview from my advisor, Dr. Annie Page-Karjian!
 https://www.hometownnewstc.com/news/fau-helping-leatherback-turtles/article_bf00c594-d45b-11eb-a330-1feb788d3788.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

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About This Project

Can aerial photography be used to measure leatherback sea turtle body condition?

Florida Atlantic University

Unlike hard-shelled sea turtles, the leatherback’s soft-shell changes shape relative to their nutritional condition and can be used as a visual indicator of their health. These gentle giants can weigh over 1000 lbs. when foraging, making them a challenge to study at sea. Aided with biotelemetry tags, our goal is to conduct the first study to validate drones as a new, noninvasive technique to analyze leatherback health by analyzing leatherback body condition on nesting and foraging grounds.