Project abstract the sea turtle early restoration project was established through the phase IV early restoration plan and environmental assessments (phase IV ERP/EA, september 23, 2015) of the DWH oil…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the University of Miami $898,578 under a Cooperative Agreement on October 1, 2025, to support sea turtle restoration and monitoring activities under the Cooperative Institute (Inter-Agency Funded Activities) program (CFDA 11.405).

The award funds two research associates to coordinate and execute tasks related to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) in the Gulf of America, with focus on Kemp's ridley, green, and loggerhead sea turtles. Work includes coordinating stranding networks, fulfilling Texas STSSN coordinator responsibilities, responding to stranded sea turtles in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, assisting with sea turtle mortality investigations, handling biological samples and evidence, participating in sea turtle emergency response events such as cold stunning and oil spills, conducting stranding and necropsy data entry and management, compiling veterinary records and analytical results, preparing necropsy reports and manuscripts, and developing projects and conducting research related to sea turtle mortality in the Gulf of America. The project implements early restoration activities established through the Phase IV Early Restoration Plan of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment, with intent to restore sea turtle populations injured by the spill.

The University of Miami's Office of Research – Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) receives the award at its location in Key Biscayne, Florida. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029.

Project abstract the sea turtle early restoration project was established through the phase IV early restoration plan and environmental assessments (phase IV ERP/EA, september 23, 2015) of the DWH oil spill and natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) and through the subsequent stipulation regarding early restoration project for the deepwater horizon oil spill sea turtle restoration (project stipulation, september 24, 2015). Upon settlement of this NRDA case on april 4, 2016, the NOAA components of this project were assigned to the trustees regionwide trustee implementation group for purposes of noaas reporting and tracking of financial management and restoration progress. The intent of this project is to contribute to making the environment and public whole for injuries to sea turtles caused by the DWH oil spill. The project addresses threats in the marine environment and is focused on kemps ridley, green, and loggerhead sea turtles. Within the sea turtle early restoration project, there are several ongoing activities and responsibilities. The two research associates are necessary to work with OPR sea turtle program staff and DWH program staff in coordinating and carrying out tasks related to the stssn, including assisting with the coordination of stranding networks, fulfilling responsibilities of the TX stssn coordinator, responding to stranded sea turtles in alabama, mississippi, and louisiana, assisting with sea turtle mortality investigations, biological sample and evidence handling, participating in sea turtle emergency response events (e.g., cold stunning, oil spills) in the gulf of america, stranding and necropsy data entry, data management and data analyses, compilation and collation of veterinary records and analytical results, preparation and collation of necropsy reports and manuscripts, and developing projects and conducting research related to sea turtle mortality in the gulf of america. In addition, OPR requires assistance with coordinating stssn and hazwoper training, maintaining training records, and developing stssn outreach materials. Travel to conduct stranding response, necropsies and necropsy- related tasks, emergency response, and field work will require the use of a government vehicle, with or without a federal employee present, and occasional travel within the gulf of america states.