Under a contract with Palm Beach County through its Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM), Inwater Research Group will begin monitoring sea turtles in the Lake Worth Lagoon the week of August 22.

The project will evaluate the size and health of the lagoon’s sea turtle population as part of a baseline study initiated in 2006.

Sea turtles function as an indicator species for environmental health much like a canary in the coal mine. The results of the study have important implications for the overall health of the lagoon.

The study consists primarily of turtle captures by setting a large-mesh tangle net.  When a turtle encounters the net, researchers quickly remove it and take measurements and a blood sample. Most of the sea turtle captures will occur near Munyon Island in the northern end of the lagoon. Previous capture events indicate that mostly juvenile green sea turtles utilize the lagoon for a portion of their life cycle.

The study is funded by a grant from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the survival of sea turtles within the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and Caribbean Sea through research, education, training, advocacy, and protection of the reptiles’ natural habitats.

STC is responsible for awarding grants with money raised through the purchase of sea turtle license plates. These grants are critical for the continued success of Palm Beach County’s sea turtle research and outreach program. For information about purchasing a sea turtle license plate, please visit www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/specialtytags/environmental/sea_turtle.html