SCCF to mark World Sea Turtle Day with program
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation will celebrate World Sea Turtle Day on June 16 by hosting a free program at 3 p.m. at the Bailey Homestead Pavilion, at 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
SCCF Coastal Wildlife Director Kelly Sloan will present details of a research initiative aimed at enhancing the understanding of the conditions that promote a greater proportion of male hatchlings.
Hotter nests produce females, and cooler nests produce males. Over the last decade, the vast majority of Florida’s sampled loggerhead hatchlings have been female. This has led to a concern in the scientific community about the species’ ability to adapt to rising temperatures. Over three years, the ratio of males ranged from only 10 percent to 20 percent in the total hatchling population.
“The ratio of male hatchlings has significantly decreased worldwide in the face of climate change and warmer nesting conditions,” she said. “The reduction in males over time will negatively affect reproduction rates for the species.”
Research has proven that a turtle’s sex is determined by the temperature of the sand where the egg incubates. Even relatively modest increases to nest temperatures have a dramatic impact. Studies have shown that when loggerhead eggs are incubated in 84.2 F sand, there is a 50-50 male-to-female sex ratio of hatchlings. Yet, when the temperature rises even slightly, the percent of females increases.
In an effort to investigate how the incubation environment affects sex ratios, SCCF has launched a study to measure temperature, moisture and groundwater influence on loggerhead hatchling sex ratios.
“Working with Dr. Jeanette Wyneken and her team at Florida Atlantic University, we are conducting research that may lead to improving the growing imbalance in the hatchling sex ratio within sea turtle populations,” Sloan said.
Through a novel analysis that uses a small amount of blood to identify a protein present only in males, the sex of hatchlings from 21 nests on Sanibel is currently being assigned.
“Even though we cannot affect short-term climate changes, we can gain a better understanding of what incubation conditions increase the male to female ratios of hatchlings in a natural setting,” she said.
“We’re excited to gather on World Sea Turtle Day to share details about this important work,” Sloan added.
To advance the study’s progress, the Linsmayer Family of Sanibel has graciously offered to match new contributions to the initiative dollar for dollar up to $10,000.
“Funding research that has the potential to make discoveries that could tangibly help save a species is an incredible opportunity. I hope everyone sees what a unique position we’re in to make a difference not only for sea turtles along our own shores, but globally,” Linda Linsmayer said on behalf of her family. “We’re doubling every dollar donated up to $10,000 to encourage everyone to share in the sense of discovery and so this story can end with the title, ‘How Sanibel and Captiva Saved the Sea Turtle.'”
Sloan noted that the Linsmayers have been dedicated champions of the SCCF’s work for years.
“Helping us to fund the lab work and shine a bright light on its importance is so appreciated by all of us,” she said. “Matching tax-deductible donations dollar-for-dollar is such a great way to encourage others to make this research possible.”
Refreshments served at the program will include sea turtle-inspired fresh vanilla custard with caramel, fudge and salted pecans, donated by Chuck and Lisa Whitman, the owners of The Shack of Sanibel.
“We are delighted The Shack’s generosity will make this a fun as well as informative event,” Sloan said.
To RSVP for the free program, contact sccf@sccf.org or 239-395-2768. Reservations can also be secured by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-sea-turtle-day-tickets-158605925593.