Meeting Abstract
During the crawl from the nest to the surf, sea turtle hatchlings face many threats, both natural and anthropogenic, which can affect their ability to successfully locate the surf zone. As a species managed for recovery, collections of accurate demographic data are critical. Currently, data gaps exist in the current hatchling production estimates; they omit hatchling mortality occurring between emergences from the nest and entering the surf. Consequently, hatchling recruitment to the oceanic life stages may be overestimated. In this study, we identify nest-to-surf mortality and possible threats to hatchlings on Florida’s east and west coast beaches. We compare how threats impact survival of hatchlings and identify how threats differ between coasts and across years (2017-2018). Predators identified include ghost crabs, foxes, raccoons, night herons, and fire ants. Anthropogenic impediments such as sky glow and barriers, varied by site. By identifying the relative magnitudes of threats and threats specific to particular nesting locations, we are able improve hatchling recruitment estimates and inform local wildlife managers of site-specific risks, so that they can use the most appropriate mitigation approaches to reduce the decline of local populations.
