ML17135A051

(External_Sender) April 2017 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report

ML17135A051
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	05/09/2017
From:	Weege S - No Known Affiliation
To:	Division of License Renewal
References
Download: ML17135A051 (8)

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NRR-PMDAPEm Resource From: Steve Weege <steveweege@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2017 12:36 PM To: Meghan Koperski Cc: Ed Hollowell; Jodie Gless; John Jones; Ken Frehafer; Marine Turtle Permit; Michael Bresette; EndangeredSpecies Resource; SCO@dep.state.fl.us; Vince Munne; Cody Mott; Jeff Guertin; Ryan Welsh; debbie.spring@noaa.gov; Eaton, Kristin; Jonathan Gorham; Terri.Taylor@fpl.com; William.Nurnberger@fpl.com; Audra Livergood - NOAA Federal

Subject:

[External_Sender] April 2017 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Attachments: April 2017 Marine Turtle Captures.pdf; Monthly Report Notes 2017.pdf; FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2017.pdf; Power Plant Causal Turtles.pdf Mrs. Meghan Koperski Tequesta Field Laboratory 19100 SE Federal Highway Tequesta, FL 33469

Subject:

Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Summary April 2017

Dear Meghan,

Attached, please find the monthly summary of marine turtle removals for April 2017. This month, we captured thirteen (13) Caretta caretta and one (1) Chelonia mydas in the intake canal of the St. Lucie power plant on Hutchinson Island. Four sea turtles were sent for rehabilitation and there were no mortalities recorded during the month of April. As with all sea turtle strandings at the Saint Lucie Plant (alive or dead), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was consulted and a stranding form was filed with the state through the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

Four loggerhead sea turtles were sent to rehabilitation facilities for non-causal injuries this month. On April 2nd, an emaciated subadult loggerhead was recovered from the tangle nets. The turtle was in poor condition (heartbeat visible). Harbor Branch personnel helped to transfer this turtle to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach for rehabilitation. On April 13th, an emaciated subadult loggerhead was recovered from the tangle nets. It had a small break in the left posterior carapace (necrotic, not from entrainment). Inwater Research Group (IRG) biologists transported this turtle to LMC for rehabilitation. On April 19th, an emaciated subadult loggerhead with heavy epibiont coverage was hand-captured near the base of the permanent 5-inch barrier net. The FWC Stranding Coordinator transported this turtle to the Clearwater Aquarium for rehabilitation. On April 29th, another emaciated subadult loggerhead was recovered from the permanent 5-inch barrier net. It had a 10 cm necrotic wound in the right anterior carapace. IRG biologists transported this turtle to LMC for initial medical treatment. The turtle was later transferred to the Miami Seaquarium. All of the strandings this month were considered non-causal.

1

Throughout the month, the permanent 5-inch barrier net experienced light loads of algae and only negligible amounts of jellyfish. Overall, the barrier net has performed as designed and no turtles have been observed beyond the 5-inch net.

The tag numbers and morphometric data for all turtles captured during the month have been included with this report (see attachments/addendums). Also included is a spreadsheet for all captures, mortalities, injuries, and causal events delineated by species and by month for 2017. In addition, this spreadsheet tracks fresh scrapes incurred on captured turtles for the current month, as well as the entire year. An additional Excel spreadsheet tracks all causal injuries and mortalities incurred by sea turtles at the St. Lucie Plant since 2004.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely, Steve Steve Weege Sr. Environmental Specialist Inwater Research Group, Inc.

4160 NE Hyline Dr.

Jensen Beach, FL 34957 sweege@inwater.org (772) 349-7252 2

Hearing Identifier: NRR_PMDA Email Number: 3512 Mail Envelope Properties (CAJrYmh9FjY2rJw1wrpkuA0MtzB6G5Cr9TfUtAe1+ZA8Z1qqkTw)

Subject:

[External_Sender] April 2017 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Sent Date: 5/9/2017 12:35:36 PM Received Date: 5/9/2017 12:36:02 PM From: Steve Weege Created By: steveweege@gmail.com Recipients:

"Ed Hollowell" <Ed.Hollowell@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Jodie Gless" <Jodie_Gless@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "John Jones" <John.Jones@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Ken Frehafer" <Ken_Frehafer@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Marine Turtle Permit" <MTP@myfwc.com>

Tracking Status: None "Michael Bresette" <mbresette@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "EndangeredSpecies Resource" <EndangeredSpecies.Resource@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "SCO@dep.state.fl.us" <SCO@dep.state.fl.us>

Tracking Status: None "Vince Munne" <Vince.Munne@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Cody Mott" <cmott@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "Jeff Guertin" <jguertin@gmail.com>

Tracking Status: None "Ryan Welsh" <rwelsh@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "debbie.spring@noaa.gov" <debbie.spring@noaa.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Eaton, Kristin" <Kristin.Eaton@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Jonathan Gorham" <jgorham@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "Terri.Taylor@fpl.com" <Terri.Taylor@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "William.Nurnberger@fpl.com" <William.Nurnberger@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Audra Livergood - NOAA Federal" <audra.livergood@noaa.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Meghan Koperski" <Meghan.Koperski@myfwc.com>

Tracking Status: None Post Office: mail.gmail.com

Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3100 5/9/2017 12:36:02 PM April 2017 Marine Turtle Captures.pdf 72034 Monthly Report Notes 2017.pdf 56318 FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2017.pdf 72933 Power Plant Causal Turtles.pdf 87697 Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received:

MARINE TURTLE REMOVALS ST. LUCIE PLANT INTAKE CANAL APRIL 2017 Date Species Note Tag #'s SMCL SSCL CSCL CMCW SMCW SMPL Weight Method (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (kg) 4/1/2017 Caretta caretta 1 MMA790/MMA791 98.4 100.3 106.4 95.9 71.4 72.9 134.7 North net 4/1/2017 Caretta caretta MMA792/MMA793 67.5 69.0 73.0 68.4 57.6 55.8 50.6 North net 4/2/2017 Caretta caretta 2 JRG170402-01 67.2 68.5 72.5 68.6 54.9 51.6 37.2 North net 4/4/2017 Caretta caretta MMA794/MMA795 77.7 79.0 82.5 77.8 59.1 60.0 60.2 South net 4/6/2017 Caretta caretta MMA796/MMA797 68.7 70.4 74.4 68.2 55.8 53.5 43.4 North net 4/9/2017 Caretta caretta 3 LLS451/LLS452 84.1 85.0 82.4 60.3 78.0 Hand capture 4/10/2017 Caretta caretta MMA798/MMA799 57.7 59.0 62.0 61.5 51.9 47.3 29.6 South net 4/10/2017 Chelonia mydas 4 MMA800/MMA801 60.8 60.9 63.7 56.8 45.7 50.3 26.8 South net 4/13/2017 Caretta caretta 5 STW170413-01 62.5 63.9 68.7 66.2 53.4 49.0 28.8 North net 4/19/2017 Caretta caretta 6 STW170419-01 67.1 68.6 72.7 67.3 55.6 53.5 35.7 Hand capture 4/24/2017 Caretta caretta MMA802/MMA803 62.6 64.9 68.0 65.9 56.9 49.5 39.7 South net 4/25/2017 Caretta caretta MMA804/MMA805 66.5 67.6 71.4 67.5 56.0 51.5 40.4 North net 4/27/2017 Caretta caretta MMA806/MMA807 66.9 68.4 73.8 68.7 58.2 54.9 49.7 Hand capture 4/29/2017 Caretta caretta 7 STW170429-01 63.2 64.0 68.0 65.0 51.9 30.6 Barrier net

NOTES

1. Adult female. Tail length = 220 mm. Healing shark bite wounds in both front flippers.

2. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# JRG170402-01. Emaciated subadult loggerhead recovered from the tangle nets. Turtle in poor condition (heartbeat visible). Notch and healed crack in right posterior carapace. Taken to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for rehabilitation.

3. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 8/6/16 and 4/9/17. "Mayor Mort" was an FPL rehab turtle with Debilitated Loggerhead Turtle Syndrome that was successfully rehabilitated at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach. The animal was fitted w/ a satellite tag prior to its release on 2/14/17. The turtle returned to the FPL intake canal on 3/31/17, according to the data feed. The satellite tag was still on and transmitting when the turtle was recaptured on 4/9/17. Old healed boat strike wound still evident on carapace. Adult female.

No ventral measurements could be taken due to the presence of the satellite tag.

4. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 11/13/04, 4/11/08, 5/5/08, 9/25/08, 10/12/08, 7/12/10, 12/6/10, 9/10/11, 11/1/11, 1/9/12, 5/10/13, 9/5/13 and 4/10/17. New Inconel tags applied on this capture event.

5. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# STW170413-01. Turtle was severely emaciated. Small 4cm break in left posterior carapace (necrotic, not from entrainment). Inwater Research Group (IRG) biologists transported this turtle to LMC for rehabilitation.

6. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# STW170419-01. Emaciated subadult loggerhead with heavy epibiont coverage. Turtle was hand-captured near the base of the permanent 5-inch barrier net. Old healed injury to nares. The FWC Stranding Coordinator transported this turtle to the Clearwater Aquarium for rehabilitation.

7. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# STW170429-01. Emaciated subadult loggerhead with 10cm necrotic wound in right anterior carapace. Turtle was retrieved from the permanent 5-inch barrier net.

Ventral measurements were not taken due to the animal's condition. IRG biologists transported the turtle to LMC for initial medical treatment. The turtle was later transferred to the Miami Seaquarium.

SMCL = Straight Minimum Carapace Length SMCL = Straight Standard Carapace Length CSCL = Curved Standard Carapace Length CMCW = Curved Maximum Carapace Width SMCW = Straight Maximum Carapace Width SMPL = Straight Midline Plastron Length

Loggerheads Green turtles Hawksbills Leatherbacks Kemp's ridley (Chelonia (Eretmochelys (Dermochelys (Lepidochelys (Caretta caretta) mydas) imbricata) coriacea) kempii) Overall Totals Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Captures 13 47 1 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 61 Causal Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Non-Causal Mortalities 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Causal Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sent to Rehab 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 Fresh Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Scrapes Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date Apr-17 Date None 3 10 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 14 Minor 10 35 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 45 Moderate 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Severe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Percent with Mod/Sev Scrapes 0.0% 4.3% 0.0% 0.0% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0% 3.3%

Injury/MortalityTotals

StLuciePowerPlantCausalTurtles 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 **2017 bySpecies TotalCaptures 623 484 419 227 420 260 295 302 232 302 275 274 316 47 4,476 Loggerhead Injuries 0 1 *3 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5 Mortalities 1 0 *21 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 TotalCaptures 286 428 267 101 299 161 444 217 127 197 134 181 159 14 3,015 Green Injuries 0 3 7 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 Mortalities 1 1 1 1 2 0 3 1 2 2 0 4 0 0 18 TotalCaptures 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 14 Leatherback Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TotalCaptures 1 3 3 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 2 7 6 0 31 Kemp'sRidley Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TotalCaptures 2 2 2 1 4 2 3 2 1 2 3 1 4 0 29 Hawksbill Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Injury&MortalityYearlyTotals 2 5 32 1 5 3 5 1 3 3 0 4 1 0 65 TotalCapturesperYear 914 917 692 330 725 424 751 521 362 503 414 465 486 61 7,565

• Theloggerheadcausalinjuriesandmortalitiesin2006wereallhatchlings.

• • 2017isapartialyear.