The goals of this project and proposal are a) to collect genetic samples from sea turtle nesting populations (including leatherbacks, greens, and hawksbills) to expand comprehensive baseline nesting…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded The Ocean Foundation $341,906 under the Broad Agency Announcement federal grant program (CFDA 11.015) to support genetic sampling and data compilation efforts for sea turtle nesting populations from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023. The key products and services to be delivered include collecting genetic samples from leatherback, green, and hawksbill sea turtle nesting sites to expand baseline nesting datasets defining population boundaries; compiling existing datasets for analyses such as bycatch assessment; updating or determining population parameters like age to maturity and adult sex ratios; processing existing samples and adding them to long-term datasets; and publishing and presenting findings in peer-reviewed literature to regularly update sea turtle stock assessments, threat identification, and population dynamics.

The goals of this project and proposal are a) to collect genetic samples from sea turtle nesting populations (including leatherbacks, greens, and hawksbills) to expand comprehensive baseline nesting datasets to define population boundaries, b) to compile existing datasets for preparation of detailed analyses such as assessment of bycatch, c) to update or determine population parameters such as age to maturity, adult breeding SEX ratios and mating systems, d) to process existing samples and to add those data to long-term datasets and e) to publish and present the findings in the peer-reviewed literature for use in regularly updating sea turtle stock assessments, threats identification, and population dynamics.