Research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center

LMC’s research program officially began when LMC founder Eleanor Fletcher received her permit from the state of Florida in the early 1970s. LMC research biologists have one of the most comprehensive datasets in the world. These datasets are invaluable to scientists and local, national, and international coastal managers. They form the basis for conservation decisions used to promote the recovery of sea turtle populations not only in Florida, but worldwide.

Our Jurisdiction

Loggerhead Marinelife Center has a diligent research team that patrols 9.5 miles of beach from the northern border of MacArthur Beach State Park (the southern extent of the survey area) to the Martin County line (the northern extent of the survey area). Nesting surveys are conducted daily from March 1 - October 31, and serve to collect information regarding crawl counts, nest numbers, and hatching success from the three species of sea turtle nesting on our beaches.

What We Monitor

All crawls, including nests and false crawls, are documented by GPS . However, due to the high nest density on our beaches, only a portion of them are distinguished with a physical marker (around 10-20%). Nests that are selected to be in the research survey will be identified with a wooden stake with a unique ID for accurate tracking and reporting.

All leatherback nests are marked by our team

A randomized selection of nests for the other two species are also marked

Each marked nest has one white stake, and one orange dune stake - there are occasionally perimeter stakes included for nests in high trafficked areas or if clutch cannot be located

Our Nesting Surveys

LMC researchers also conduct surveys at night to encounter nesting females with the goal to better understand sea turtle biology, movement patterns, and health. Each encountered female is checked for existing tags. If a female does not have tags, she is given tags. These tags act as a unique identifier for the female, like a car license plate number, so that when she is re-encountered, we know her history. Each female is also measured to track her growth as well as inspected for any visible injuries.

Here is some of the information we are collecting from each turtle
Measurements (including body condition)
Visible injuries
Blood and skin samples
Depending on what current research is taking place a variety of other samples are collected from the females. Various research projects are conducted each year, some in collaboration with other researchers and universities from around the world.

Check Out Some of Our

Research Projects

It is important to stay connected and continue to check out our ongoing research! People love to learn about our ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Check out our Morning Nest Monitoring Program!

Track Tagged Turtles!

Check out our teams Publications!