Project abstract principal investigator: nicole vollmer primary contact: alexandra jaroszewski, 4600 rickenbacker cswy, (305) 421-4089

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $242,838 to the University of Miami on October 1, 2025, under the Cooperative Institute (Inter-Agency Funded Activities) program (CFDA 11.405) to conduct a targeted sea turtle distribution and habitat use study in eastern Louisiana waters.

The study will generate baseline data on sea turtle populations and habitat use in Louisiana coastal and marine environments to support adaptive management and restoration planning aimed at reducing threats to sea turtles injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The work aligns with the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Monitoring and Adaptive Management strategy and addresses four sea turtle restoration fundamental objectives under the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment settlement framework.

The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) is the recipient, operating from Key Biscayne, Florida. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Principal investigator Nicole Vollmer and primary contact Alexandra Jaroszewski are located at 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, telephone (305) 421-4089, email ALK132@MIAMI.EDU.

The funds obligated total $242,838, against a budget request of $121,419 for the one-year budget period.