Home

Send comments on our web site or general questions to northflorida@fws.gov

If you need special assistance please contact the Public Affairs Officer at chuck_underwood@fws.gov

April 8-9, 2003

Silver Spring, Maryland (NOAA Headquarters - Science Center)

SOUTH FLORIDA RECOVERY UNIT - NESTING FEMALE ABUNDANCE AND POPULATION TRENDS

Presented by Blair Witherington

The figure below shows annual loggerhead nests counted at the South Florida index nesting beaches during the period from 1989–2002.

The Florida Index Nesting Beach Survey (INBS) Program, administered by the Florida Marine Research Institute since 1989, follows standardized methods for collection of nesting data, which allow detailed assessments of nesting trends. The index data include only nests that were recorded on index beaches during the index survey period, May 15 - August 31. Index beaches represent approximately 67 percent of loggerhead nesting in the state of Florida.

A regression of log-transformed nest numbers shows no trend in annual loggerhead nesting. This is a change from similar analyses in previous years that had indicated an increase in loggerhead nesting in South Florida.

A near census of the South Florida Recovery Unit undertaken from 1998-2002 reveals a mean of 75,459 nests per year, which equates to about 18,405 females nesting per year. This near census provides the best estimate of total abundance but because of variable survey effort, these numbers cannot be used to assess trends.

• Meeting Overview
• Agenda
• Participant List - PDF 152KB