ML13345A219

NRR E-mail Capture - November 2013 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report

ML13345A219
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	12/05/2013
From:	Weege S - No Known Affiliation
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML13345A219 (10)

Text

NRR-PMDAPEm Resource From: Steve Weege [steveweege@gmail.com]

Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 4:05 PM To: Meghan Koperski Cc: Audra Livergood - NOAA Federal; Dave Clark; David Niebch; Ed Hollowell; Jodie Gless; John Jones; Ken Frehafer; Marine Turtle Permit; Michael Bresette; EndangeredSpecies Resource; SCO@dep.state.fl.us; Shelley Norton; Vince Munne

Subject:

November 2013 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Attachments: November 2013 Marine Turtle Captures.rtf; Monthly Report Notes 2013.xls; FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2013.xls; Power Plant Causal Turtles.xlsx Mrs. Meghan Koperski Tequesta Field Laboratory 19100 SE Federal Highway Tequesta, FL 33469

Subject:

Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Summary November 2013

Dear Meghan,

Attached, please find the monthly summary of marine turtle removals for November 2013. This month, we captured eleven (11) Caretta caretta and twenty-six (26) Chelonia mydas in the intake canal of the St. Lucie power plant on Hutchinson Island. There were two mortalities and two sea turtle were sent for rehabilitation during the month of November.

On November 14th, a severely decomposed subadult loggerhead sea turtle was removed from the top of the temporary 5-inch barrier net. There was no salient cause of death. After consultation with the Florida Fish &

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), this incident was determined to be non-causal to power plant operations and the turtle was buried behind the dune. On November 15th, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle was removed from the tangle nets that was later sent to a rehab facility. This turtle was slightly underweight and apparently too lethargic to be released. After consultation with FWC, Inwater Research Group (IRG) biologist transported the animal to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach for rehabilitation. This was deemed a non-causal stranding. On November 26th, a juvenile green turtle was found underwater on the temporary 5-inch barrier net by Underwater Engineering Services divers during a net cleaning. The turtle was recovered postmortem during a severe algae event that temporarily drug the 5-inch barrier net underwater. The animal was kept on ice and held for necropsy by Nancy Mettee, DVM. According to the necropsy report, forced submergence (drowning) was the likely cause of death based on the overall good condition of this turtle.

This incident was considered causal to plant operations and counts against the take limit established by the most recent Biological Opinion set forth by the National Marine Fisheries Service. On November 30th, a juvenile green turtle was captured in the tangle nets that had fishing line in the mouth and appeared to be hooked deep in the throat. The turtle also had extensive flipper and carapace damage from an old healed injury. After consultation with FWC, IRG transported the turtle to LMC for rehabilitation. This last incident was not considered causal to power plant operations.

The scheduled short-term power plant outage that began on September 29th ended in the beginning of November. Throughout the month, the 5-inch barrier net experienced severe loads of algae that entered into the intake canal system; whereas jellyfish entrainment has been light-to-moderate. There were two severe algae 1

intrusions, one on the 16th and the other on the 26th of the month. Both times, Underwater Engineering Services (UESI) was called upon to deploy divers, sometimes on a 24-hour basis, to inspect and clean the 5-inch barrier net. In addition, Inwater Research Group biologists ramped up canal monitoring and reporting as well as proactive turtle capturing efforts in response to these periods of heavy algae entrainment. Unfortunately, the weight of the algae overwhelmed the temporary 5-inch barrier net during the second severe algae event and the net became submerged for approximately 2.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> before being restored by UESI dive teams. The temporary barrier net was submerged by up to ten inches. In addition, partial occlusion of the nets surface area by algal matting resulted in increased velocity where water still flowed through, creating the potential to trap turtles by pinning them against the net. During this time period, a juvenile green sea turtle made it past the 5-inch net.

The turtle eluded capture until it was recovered from the intake wells inside the power plants protected area on December 1st. The turtle was given a health assessment, measured, photographed and released in good condition later that morning. No other turtles have been observed beyond the 5-inch net. Florida Power &

Light has moved beyond the design phase for a permanent 5-inch barrier net and awarded the contract for its installation with an expected completion date in 2014.

The tag numbers and morphometric data for all turtles captured during the month have been included with this report (see attachments/addendums). Also included is a spreadsheet for all captures, mortalities, injuries, and causal events delineated by species and by month for the year 2013. In addition, this spreadsheet also tracks fresh scrapes incurred on captured turtles for the current month, as well as the entire year. An additional Excel spreadsheet was added this year that tracks all causal injuries and mortalities incurred by sea turtles at the St.

Lucie Plant since 2001.

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 2

Hearing Identifier: NRR_PMDA Email Number: 948 Mail Envelope Properties (CAJrYmh86Z2SckKj5kP1+LBjFRL9mVZz7rx6bx9cALB7GbLXV0g)

Subject:

November 2013 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Sent Date: 12/5/2013 4:05:01 PM Received Date: 12/5/2013 4:05:32 PM From: Steve Weege Created By: steveweege@gmail.com Recipients:

"Audra Livergood - NOAA Federal" <audra.livergood@noaa.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Dave Clark" <dclark@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "David Niebch" <David.Niebch@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Ed Hollowell" <Ed.Hollowell@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Jodie Gless" <Jodie_Gless@FPL.com>

Tracking Status: None "John Jones" <John.Jones@FPL.com>

Tracking Status: None "Ken Frehafer" <Ken_Frehafer@FPL.com>

Tracking Status: None "Marine Turtle Permit" <MTP@MyFWC.com>

Tracking Status: None "Michael Bresette" <mbresette@inwater.org>

Tracking Status: None "EndangeredSpecies Resource" <EndangeredSpecies.Resource@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "SCO@dep.state.fl.us" <SCO@dep.state.fl.us>

Tracking Status: None "Shelley Norton" <Shelley.Norton@NOAA.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Vince Munne" <Vince.Munne@fpl.com>

Tracking Status: None "Meghan Koperski" <Meghan.Koperski@MyFWC.com>

Tracking Status: None Post Office: mail.gmail.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 5321 12/5/2013 4:05:32 PM November 2013 Marine Turtle Captures.rtf 23234 Monthly Report Notes 2013.xls 173120 FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2013.xls 185920 Power Plant Causal Turtles.xlsx 14161 Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No

Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received:

MARINE TURTLE REMOVALS ST. LUCIE PLANT INTAKE CANAL NOVEMBER 2013 Date Species Note Tag #'s SMCL SSCL CSCL CMCW SMCW SMPL Weight Method (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (kg) 11/1/2013 Caretta caretta EEP331/EEP332 61.9 62.9 70.6 62.6 49.0 48.8 34.4 South net 11/5/2013 Chelonia mydas 1 EEA333/EEP333 47.6 47.8 50.8 45.2 36.7 39.1 14.1 North net 11/6/2013 Caretta caretta EEP334/EEP335 71.2 72.1 77.7 75.2 60.8 56.4 55.2 North net 11/10/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP336/EEP337 54.4 54.7 57.6 49.5 42.6 45.0 23.5 Dip net 11/11/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237127 26.8 27.1 28.1 24.7 22.6 23.4 2.3 South net 11/12/2013 Chelonia mydas 2 EEA321/EEP340 46.2 46.3 49.8 45.6 38.2 39.8 14.8 North net 11/12/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP338/EEP339 49.2 49.7 53.5 48.1 40.0 40.2 17.3 North net 11/14/2013 Chelonia mydas 3 EEA204 54.0 54.4 58.1 50.2 43.2 47.2 22.9 North net 11/14/2013 Chelonia mydas 4 EEP341/EEP342 33.5 34.0 35.5 30.8 27.1 27.7 5.1 South net 11/14/2013 Caretta caretta EEP343/EEP344 64.5 66.6 70.4 67.7 54.6 50.4 37.8 North net 11/14/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP345/EEP346 42.9 43.4 45.9 39.1 33.3 36.3 10.8 South net 11/14/2013 Caretta caretta 5 JRG131114-01 61.2 61.9 67.2 65.0 55.2 46.5 Barrier net 11/15/2013 Caretta caretta EEP347/EEP348 70.5 72.3 79.0 75.0 58.0 56.4 53.1 South net 11/15/2013 Caretta caretta 6 EEP349/EEP350 65.5 67.5 71.5 71.8 55.8 50.0 36.8 North net 11/16/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237054 28.4 28.8 30.5 25.0 22.3 24.4 2.7 Barrier net

Date Species Note Tag #'s SMCL SSCL CSCL CMCW SMCW SMPL Weight Method (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (kg) 11/16/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237132 25.9 26.3 27.7 23.8 21.2 21.7 2.0 Barrier net 11/17/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237094 27.3 27.7 28.7 24.7 22.2 22.8 2.7 Dip net 11/18/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237141 22.9 23.4 24.7 22.1 19.0 19.1 1.6 Dip net 11/19/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237089 28.0 28.4 30.1 26.5 23.5 23.3 3.3 Hand capture 11/19/2013 Chelonia mydas 989001001237102 26.5 26.8 28.5 26.0 23.5 22.9 2.7 Hand capture 11/19/2013 Caretta caretta 7 EEA388/EEA389 61.1 62.0 66.7 64.3 51.1 49.9 32.4 Hand capture 11/19/2013 Caretta caretta EEP351/EEP352 66.8 69.6 74.1 70.9 56.0 54.0 47.3 Hand capture 11/19/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP353/EEP354 75.0 75.7 79.9 72.8 61.2 61.7 54.5 Hand capture 11/19/2013 Caretta caretta 8 EEP355/EEP356/RR 83.5 85.4 91.5 84.4 64.9 64.7 94.5 Hand capture S228 11/19/2013 Caretta caretta 9 UUW864/UUW865 65.7 67.3 72.5 67.6 56.9 51.3 40.5 Hand capture 11/22/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP357/EEP358 34.2 34.5 36.6 30.5 27.0 28.3 5.0 South net 11/23/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP359/EEP360 65.1 66.4 70.9 65.0 53.0 54.9 39.4 North net 11/24/2013 Chelonia mydas 10 EEP322/EEP361 53.7 54.0 57.1 50.4 41.5 43.4 19.7 South net 11/24/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP362/EEP363 41.8 42.4 45.7 39.5 33.8 34.6 9.6 North net 11/26/2013 Chelonia mydas 4A0B1E6F4B 27.2 27.5 29.0 23.9 21.5 23.0 2.3 Barrier net 11/26/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP364 28.2 28.3 30.0 25.5 22.6 23.8 3.0 Barrier net 11/26/2013 Chelonia mydas 11 RCW131126-01 25.1 25.4 27.3 23.4 20.5 21.1 2.1 Barrier net 11/27/2013 Chelonia mydas 4B04204061 29.2 29.4 31.1 26.4 23.5 24.5 3.3 North net 11/27/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP365/EEP366 39.5 39.7 42.3 37.5 32.7 32.4 7.9 North net 11/30/2013 Caretta caretta EEP367/EEP368 69.3 71.3 77.5 71.3 58.5 54.3 44.9 South net

Date Species Note Tag #'s SMCL SSCL CSCL CMCW SMCW SMPL Weight Method (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (kg) 11/30/2013 Chelonia mydas EEP369/EEP370 47.2 47.5 50.0 42.0 37.3 39.2 14.0 North net 11/30/2013 Chelonia mydas 12 RCW131130-01 41.7 42.0 44.2 41.0 34.6 34.5 9.0 North net

NOTES

1. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 5/31/12, 4/27/13 and 11/5/13. One new inconel tag inserted today in the right front flipper (EEP333).

2. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 10/30/11, 4/21/13 and 11/12/13.

3. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 9/18/11, 4/26/12, 7/7/12, 1/30/13, 5/13/13 and 11/14/13. PAPILLOMAS (Balazs Tumor Score = 1 {light},

Total Tumor Score = 1).

4. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 11/26/12 and 11/14/13. Large notch in marginals in left posterior carapace.

5. DEAD (NON-CAUSAL MORTALITY). Stranding# JRG131114-01. Turtle was severely decomposed; there was no salient cause of death. Weight estimated at 30kg. Animal was buried off beach after consultation with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

6. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# STW131115-01. Turtle was underweight and lethargic. Attempted to release but would not crawl back into ocean. Inwater Research Group biologist transported the animal to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for rehabilitation.

7. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 5/9/13 and 11/19/13. Turtle had minor healed flipper damage.

8. STRANGE TAG (PIT tag #467D450E35 in left front flipper & Inconel Tag #RRS228 in left rear flipper).

Turtle originally captured in a pound net in Carteret County, North Carolina on 5/19/06. Sexed by the National Marine Fisheries Service via laparoscopy when originally captured (male). Two new inconel tags inserted on this capture event (front flippers).

9. STRANGE TAG (PIT Tag #982000190653268). "Kingston" was originally captured in Cape Cod, MA during a cold-stun event. The animal was rehabilitated by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center of Juno Beach and released on 4/19/13.

10. RECAPTURE. Turtle was removed from the intake canal, tagged and released at Hutchinson Island on 2/17/10, 10/8/13 and 11/24/13. New inconel tag (EEP361) inserted today in the right front flipper.

11. DEAD (CAUSAL MORTALITY). Stranding# RCW131126-01. The turtle was found underwater on the temporary 5-inch barrier net by Underwater Engineering Services divers while cleaning the net. The turtle was recovered postmortem during a severe algae event that temporarily drug the 5-inch barrier net underwater. The animal was kept on ice and held for necropsy by Nancy Mettee, DVM. According to the necropsy report, forced submergence (drowning) was the likely cause of death based on the overall good condition of this turtle. Sex determined from necropsy (female).

12. REHAB (NON-CAUSAL). Stranding# RCW131130-01. The turtle had fishing line in the mouth and appeared to be hooked deep in the throat. The animal was also missing the entire left front flipper (healed).

Two large pieces of the carapace were missing on the right side of the body from an old healed injury (large portions of the 1st, 3rd and 4th right costal scutes missing). Inwater Research Group biologists transported the turtle to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for rehabilitation.

SMCL = Straight Minimum Carapace Length SMCL = Straight Standard Carapace Length CSCL = Curved Standard Carapace Length CMCW = Curved Maximum Carapace Width SMCW = Straight Maximum Carapace Width SMPL = Straight Midline Plastron Length

Loggerheads Green turtles Hawksbills Leatherbacks Kemp's ridley (Chelonia (Eretmochelys (Dermochelys (Lepidochelys (Caretta caretta) mydas) imbricata) coriacea) kempii) Overall Totals Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Captures 11 284 26 169 0 2 0 2 0 0 37 457 Causal Mortalities 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Non-causal Mortalities 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 Causal Injuries 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Sent to rehab 1 7 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 11 Fresh Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Year to Scrapes Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date Nov-13 Date None 3 57 4 33 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 91 Minor 7 204 21 117 0 0 0 2 0 0 28 323 Moderate 1 22 1 19 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 42 Severe 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Percent with mod/sev scrapes 9.1% 8.1% 3.8% 11.2% N/A 50.0% N/A 0.0% N/A N/A 5.4% 9.4%

Injury / Mortality St Lucie Power Plant Causal Turtles 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 **2013 Totals by Species Total Captures 270 341 538 623 484 419 227 420 260 295 302 232 284 4,695 Loggerhead Injuries 0 0 0 0 1 *3 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 8 Mortalities 1 0 0 1 0 *21 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 Total Captures 321 292 394 286 428 267 101 299 161 444 217 127 169 3,506 Green Injuries 0 0 1 0 3 7 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 16 Mortalities 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 3 1 2 1 20 Total Captures 2 0 4 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 2 2 17 Leatherback Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total Captures 1 0 2 1 3 3 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 19 Kemp's Ridley Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total Captures 6 3 6 2 2 2 1 4 2 3 2 1 2 36 Hawksbill Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mortalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Injury / Mortality Yearly Totals 5 2 2 2 5 32 1 5 3 5 1 3 2 68 Total Captures per Year 600 636 944 914 917 692 330 725 424 751 521 362 457 8,273

• The loggerhead causal injuries and mortalities in 2006 were all hatchlings.

• • 2013 is a partial year