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1 Please dial into Conference Call US Toll free: Participant Passcode: # International direct: Please log in as a Guest with your first and last name in Adobe Connect. Marine Turtle Permit Rule Amendments Rule Workshop (Please put phones on mute!) Version 1

2 Agenda Time Agenda Topic Process & Desired Results 3:00 Welcome, agenda review Layout process for presentation and commenting 3:10 Proposed changes to Marine Turtle Permit Rule 68E-1 and Marine Turtle Conservation Guidelines 4:30 Marine Turtle Permit Holder and Stakeholder s comments and feedback 4:45 Meeting overview and next steps 5:00 Adjourn PowerPoint presentation Permit holder comments & questions captured Clarify next steps comments to mtprule@myfwc.com by September 25, 2015 Feedback for FWC staff about webinar content and format

3 Marine Turtle Permit Rule Amendments Rule Workshop Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Habitat and Species Conservation Version 1

4 Outline Marine Turtle Protection in Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act, FS (1) Section 6 Cooperative Agreement (ESA) Administrative Code Rule Changes Marine Turtle Conservation Guideline (Handbook) Changes

5 Marine Turtle Protection in Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act - Florida Statute (1) may not possess, take, disturb, harass Commission may issue a permit..for scientific, education, exhibition, or conservation purposes Section 6 Cooperative Agreement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Allows FWC to issue conservation permits for take of federally listed endangered or threatened species No permit required from FWS

6 Florida Administrative Code Rule 68E-1, Marine Turtle Permits 68E Introduction, Scope and Definitions 68E General Permit Application Procedures, Requirements and Expiration 68E Authorizations for Marine Turtle Research, Conservation, and Educational Activities 68E Suspension, Revocation and Penalties 68E Additional Special Requirements for Any and All Marine Turtles

7 68E Introduction, Scope and Definitions Definitions added: Authorized personnel Handbook Monitoring Person Scientific research Special activity license

8 68E General Permit Application Procedures, Requirements and Expiration (4) Processing Review of applications Separates activities Withdraw request Conditions Final agency action

9 (5) Nesting Beach Surveys References Knowledge Education Training Reporting

10 (6) Nest Relocation Experience Knowledge

11 (10) Stranding Experience Handbook requirements Workshops

12 (12) Scientific Research Review criteria includes information on basic biology Process Peer review Amendments Permit conditions

13 (13) Captive Facilities Entities can obtain permits for holding turtles in captivity Qualified individual Experience References Responsible for all aspects of animal care Available at all times Veterinary care

14 (17) Permit Duration One year New applicants Two years Existing Permit Holders with five years of experience in conducting requested activity in Florida All reports must be submitted according to the required deadlines

15 Questions? Written comments can be submitted to By September 25, Rule drafts are available at MyFWC.com/seaturtle.

16 Marine Turtle Conservation Guidelines Section 1 General Information Section 2 Nesting Beach Surveys Section 3 Stranding and Salvage Section 4 Holding Marine Turtles in Captivity Section 5 Tagging Marine Turtles Section 6 Research Activities Section 7 Educational Activities

17 Appendices A Forms, Etc. B Glossary of Terms C Resources D Quick Reference Tables

18 Section 1 General Information for Permit Holders Types of permits Permit structure Number of permits/authorized personnel Training Code of Conduct Monitoring for Coastal Construction Control Line Permits

19 Section 2 Nesting Beach Survey Activities Recommended start/stop dates for nesting surveys Hatch success assessments are a permitted activity and require data reporting Detailed relocation protocol Eglin Airforce Base

20 Section 2 Nesting Beach Survey Activities Change in guidance re: fire ants Experimental predator control methods discouraged More info on shorebirds and beach mice provided

21 Section 3 Stranding and Salvage Activities Eligibility criteria Attend FWC stranding workshop within one year Documented 10 stranded turtles Acknowledge having read Handbook Section 3, Stranding Copies of forms, protocols and other useful resources related to stranding response can be found online at esources.htm.

22 Section 4 Holding Marine Turtles in Captivity Non-releasable turtles May house >3 if space permits Males & females separated Water quality Expanded ranges for salinity, ph and chlorine Ozone standards included Added additional coliform testing/reporting options Credit: FOS

23 Section 4 Holding Marine Turtles in Captivity (cont.) Veterinary care Credit: GA STC Credit: GA STC FP experience criteria and expectations change in release strategies Educational Tours new! Educational Presentations Improve conditions for turtles while off site Educational loggerheads only Dive/snorkel programs reporting

24 Section 5 Tagging Turtles Temporary marking Animal borne-devices Flipper tagging PIT tagging Appropriate techniques Sterilization/disinfection Size considerations

25 Section 6 Research Activities Authorized activities Eligibility criteria Experience References Amendments Peer review FWC staff External

26 Section 7 Educational Activities Authorized activities Limit interactions with female and hatchlings Eligibility criteria Activity description Reporting New Activity! Public Hatch Success Evaluation

27 Questions??

28 What s next? Comments may be submitted to MTPRule@myfwc.com by September 25 Revisions will be made as appropriate Revised drafts will be posted on MyFWC.com/seaturtle. FWC will advertise a draft rule with any changes The FWC Commission will take action on the proposed rule during one of their meetings Stakeholder input is welcomed throughout the process