Sea turtle nesting activity along Eglin Air Force Base on Cape San Blas and Santa Rosa Island, Florida from 1994 to 1997.

Along EAFB on Cape San BIas, the only sea turtle species nest observed has beenthe loggerhead turtle. The first green turtle nest documented along the Florida panhandlecoast was observed on EAFB property, however (D. Atencio, EAFB, pers. comm). SantaRosa Island, located approximately 150 miles west of Cape San BIas supports a small butconsistent, group of nesting green turtles (Fig. 2). Although erosion is not as severe alongSanta Rosa Island as it is on Cape San BIas, and vehicular traffic is not permitted, seaturtles nesting on this barrier island must survive severe tropical storms, predation, andartificial lighting to be successful. Because this area supports a rare group of nesting greenturtles and is disturbed by intense artificial lighting from Air Force missions and adjacentresort towns, continued monitoring is necessary. The sea turtle species that nest along thisbarrier island, and the human activities that disturb those sea turtles present uniquecircumstances for management ofthis area. Protection ofthe significant nestingpopulations of sea turtles on EAFB properties on Cape San BIas and Santa Rosa Islandrequires yearly monitoring of the nesting activity and the natural and human disturbancesinfluencing the nesting females.The objectives ofthis study were to monitor sea turtle nesting along EAFB onCape San BIas to determine number of nests and hatching success, assess disturbances,and determine proper management to ensure successful nesting and hatching.(56 page document)

Research Work Order no. 129

Research Work Order no. 160

Research Work Order no. 181

U. S. Geological Survey/Biological Resource Division