ML11342A183

November 2011 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report

ML11342A183
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	12/03/2011
From:	Weege S Inwater Research Group
To:	Koperski M Florida Power & Light Co, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin, National Ocean Service
Balsam B
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ML11342A180	List: ML11342A183 ML11342A184 ML11342A203
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From: Stephen Weege To: Meghan Koperski Cc: Bob Hoffman; Dave Niebch; Dave Clark; RidsNrrDlr Resource; Ed Hollowell; Jodie Gless; Ken Frehafer; Mike Bresette; Shelley Norton; Vince Munne

Subject:

November 2011 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Date: Saturday, December 03, 2011 1:13:13 PM Attachments: November 2011 Marine Turtle Captures.rtf Monthly Report Notes 2011.xls FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2011.xls Mrs. Meghan Koperski Tequesta Field Laboratory 19100 SE Federal Highway Tequesta, FL 33469

Subject:

Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Summary November 2011

Dear Meghan,

Attached, please find the monthly summary of marine turtle removals for November 2011.

This month, we captured twenty-four (24) Caretta caretta, fifty-one (51) Chelonia mydas, and one (1) Eretmochelys imbricata in the intake canal of the St. Lucie power plant on Hutchinson Island. During the month of November, only one turtle was sent for rehabilitation (for fibropapillomatosis) and there were no mortalities.

On November 4th , a juvenile green turtle was discovered languishing near the temporary 5-inch barrier net. The turtle was quickly captured with a dip net and evaluated by Inwater Research Group (IRG) biologists. The animal was in poor condition with multiple large papillomas on the hind flippers and several small tumors in the eyes. After consultation with Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC), the turtle was held overnight for transport to the Clearwater Aquarium the following day for rehabilitation. The animal was picked up by the FWC sea turtle stranding coordinator the next morning. This incident was not considered causal to power plant operations.

Throughout the month, the 5 barrier net experienced negligible to severe loads of jellyfish that entered into the intake canal, whereas algae entrainment ranged from negligible to moderate in magnitude. On November 14th , IRG biologists hand captured a juvenile green turtle between the temporary 5-inch and the A-1-A 8-inch nets. During a subsequent inspection and cleaning of the 5-inch net, three holes were repaired by Underwater Engineering Services near the surface of the temporary barrier net. To date, no other turtles have been observed west of the 5-inch net. During November, Morgan & Eklund, Inc.

performed various inspections at the intake canal in preparation for the future installation of a permanent 5-inch barrier net.

The tag numbers and morphometric data for all turtles are attached. Also included is a spreadsheet for all captures, mortalities, injuries, and causal events delineated by species and by month for 2011. This spreadsheet also tracks fresh scrapes incurred on captured turtles for the current month, as well as the entire year.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely, Steve Steve Weege Sr. Environmental Specialist Inwater Research Group, Inc.

4160 NE Hyline Dr.

Jensen Beach, FL 34957 sweege@inwater.org (772) 349-7252