The USFWS asked our group to begin a project in 2002 that would help determine the species composition and genetic origin of sea turtles within the KWNWR. Since that time we have continued our work in the refuge through funding from National Marine Fisheries Service, the Sea Turtle Grants Program, the Norcross Foundation, USFWS and the Florida Marine Research Institute. Since its inception this project has been a collaborative effort between our group and the Florida Marine Research Institute.
The H.U.N.T. Method
This method was developed as a way to survey large sections of marine habitat and collect quantitative sea turtle abundance data. H.U.N.T. stands for haphazard unmarked nonlinear transects which are conducted by boat with two spotters in a tower, a driver and a data recorder. These transects have no pre-set start and end points and positions of all sea turtles sighted are recorded by a GPS unit. This allows for a calculation of sea turtles sighted per kilometer of transect and can be used to compare relative abundance over time and between regions.
Key West National Wildlife Refuge Sea Turtle Project (Cont.)
Because the KWNWR and surrounding waters encompass such a vast area it was important that we divided it into several smaller geographic regions. These regions are as follows:
Marquesas Region
The Marquesas region encompasses 14 distinct islands that encircle an open basin. Mooney Harbor is located inside this complex of keys and contains shallow sea grass beds dotted with sponges, bomb craters, and serpentine deep water channels. To the north and east of the Marquesas, extensive sea grass beds are found in one to three meters of water and to the south and southeast of the islands a myriad of coral patch reefs and sponge/hardbottom habitats can be found in three to five meters of water.
West of the islands, in three to five meters of water, extensive sea grass beds can be found interspersed with expansive sand areas and sponge habitats. This habitat extends far to the west of the Marquesas and is described on charts as the Quicksands. Although we have surveyed a small part of this area, it should be noted that much of the Quicksands is outside the jurisdiction of the KWNWR.
North Region
The North region includes the waters surrounding Cottrell, Little Mullet and Big Mullet Keys. Cottrell Key is surrounded by shallow tidal flats and sea grass beds with the exception of a fringe coral reef located just off its northwest shore. This reef extends for approximately one kilometer and has water depths that range from five meters to less than one meter. The Mullet Keys have deep water channels that encircle them and only a few narrow channels flow through the tidal flats. West of Little Mullet Key are extensive flats of turtle grass with a few large channels that lie northeast of Boca Grande Bank.
Central Region
The Central region includes eight of the keys to the east and south of the Lakes Passage. The Lakes Passage is a shallow, but wide basin that runs from Archer Key west to Boca Grande Key. This area contains a mix of seagrass and sponge/hardbottom habitats. The area south of Crawfish Key west to Woman Key contains habitat that we describe as sponge gardens found in one to four meters of water. Additionally, excellent hardbottom, seagrass and sponge habitats can be found just west of Barracouta and Man Key in one to three meters of water.
South Region
The South region is mostly open water, but includes many of the barrier reefs, rock keys and shoals that sit along the Keys outer coral reef chain. To date we have surveyed very little of the southern region. Although, during a one day trip in 2003 we were able to survey the Middle Ground shoal and Sand Key area, which sit approximately 6 and 10 km due south of Crawfish Key, respectively. This region contains habitat well suited for sea turtles and in the future we will be focusing more of our research effort in this area.
Sea Turtle Captures in the KWNWR
The Rodeo Method
This method is used in conjunction with the H.U.N.T. method and is a way of safely capturing sea turtles. In addition to personnel used for the H.U.N.T. method a diver is stationed at the front of the boat. When a sea turtle is sighted, it is pursued by boat and aligned just to the right or left of the bow. At this point the diver jumps from the boat and attempts to capture the turtle. Once the diver has control of the turtle it is carefully brought on board. A series of measurements and samples are taken before it is released back to the water in the area of initial capture.
Turtles are brought on board for measurements and sampling....
And released safely back to the water.
The following is a description of how we capture sea turtles for research purposes. These methods require permits from State and Federal agencies. Capturing sea turtles without a permit can result in serious fines and possible imprisonment.
The USFWS asked our group to begin a project in 2002 that would help determine the species composition and genetic origin of sea turtles within the KWNWR. Since that time we have continued our work in the refuge through funding from National Marine Fisheries Service, the Sea Turtle Grants Program, the Norcross Foundation, USFWS and the Florida Marine Research Institute. Since its inception this project has been a collaborative effort between our group and the Florida Marine Research Institute. 
