Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Located in the coastal waters surrounding the Florida Keys, stretching over 200 miles from the northern boundary near Biscayne National Park down through the Keys and into the Gulf of America and Florida Bay, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is home to a diverse community of underwater habitats. These habitats range from the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States to the largest documented contiguous seagrass community in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 6,000 animal species are found here, along with an array of submerged historical and cultural resources.
TOUR OF DUTY DATE:
August 2024
SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS:
Florida Keys NMS
Inwater Research Group
OBJECTIVES:
- To measure and tag as many adult and juvenile Green and Loggerhead sea turtles as possible.
- Check each turtle for signs of the debilitating, often fatal disease Fibropapillomatosis and remove any infected turtles for immediate emergency care.
RESULTS:
Seven (7) FORCE BLUE veterans captured, measured, tagged, and safely returned to the sea a total of 35 turtles (22 Loggerheads and 13 Greens) over a five-day period. None of the captured turtles were found to have Fibropapillomatosis to a severe enough extent that they warranted removal.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
At mission’s end, FORCE BLUE hosted a “Community Day” at the EcoCommunity Center in Key West, drawing a crowd of all ages. Attendees participated alongside FORCE BLUE veterans in workshops highlighting the importance of marine conservation. The goal was to educate and empower individuals to become proactive stewards of their local marine environment.
