Developing an Operational Sea Turtle Stranding Analysis System to Improve Understanding of Sea Turtle Mortality in the Gulf of Mexico

Zhankun Wang1,2, Redwood W Nero3, Melissa Cook4, Yee Lau5,6, Kirsten Larsen7 and David E Sallis6,8, (1)Mississippi State University, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State, MS, United States, (2)NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI-MD, Silver Spring, United States, (3)NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (4)NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Pascagoula, MS, United States, (5)NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Stennis Space Center, United States, (6)Mississippi State University, Northern Gulf Institute, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (7)NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (8)Northern Gulf Institute, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Stennis Space Center, United States
Abstract:
All species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Five of the world's seven species of sea turtles are found within the Gulf of Mexico (GOMX) and are subject to both natural and anthropogenic sources of mortality. Understanding factors contributing to sea turtle mortality is a primary focus of the Gulf of Mexico Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project. For this purpose, a sea turtle stranding analysis tools system was developed with the goal to estimate the probable at-sea locations of origin of stranded sea turtles (i.e., the source of mortality) and predict the influence of environmental conditions on animal drift and dispersal. This system consists of a user-friendly web interface and two sea turtle mortality analysis tools: Backcasting Analysis and Mortality Mapping (BAMM) and Beaching Probability Index Tool (BPI). Both tools conduct ocean physical model-based drift analysis using winds, current and ocean conditions from physical numerical models. BAMM incorporates drift analysis with the sea turtle stranding records provided by the National Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network to estimate likely mortality site. BPI is a stranding probability prediction tool, which allows users to ascertain likelihood of floating carcasses stranding on GOMX beaches and to inform stranding surveillance efforts. The system provides readily available, user-friendly resources for backtracking the origin of stranded sea turtles in the GOMX and evaluating the probability and locations of sea turtle strandings based on environmental parameters. This information will provide valuable insight for resource managers and allow stranding networks to better respond to and plan for sea turtle stranding emergencies.
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