Analysis of environmental variables and their correlation to sea turtle occupancy and bycatch

Abstract

Sea turtles utilize a variety habitats in nearshore environments and benefit from spatial protections (Barnette 2017). Little research has explored sea turtle usage of fishing piers as habitat (Lamont 2021) Sea turtle bycatch at Northwest Florida fishing piers is some of the highest in the state based on data from the Sea Turtles Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN). The effects of bycatch on increased mortality are largely unknown, since it has not been thoroughly investigated. This is a very expensive conservation activity, and it impacts fishing activity at the piers. The factors contributing to this increased bycatch are not well understood