Inside FWRI
World Sea Turtle Day
Happy World Sea Turtle Day, celebrated annually on June 16!
Summer is in full swing, and so is sea turtle nesting season. As you enjoy beach excursions, pack it in and pack it out, give space to nesting turtles and hatchlings, smooth down sandcastles and fill in any man-made holes in the sand before heading out, and turn out the lights/close the blinds at night. Call Wildlife Alert at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you ever observe a sick, injured, or distressed sea turtle or illegal activity.
Thank you for being a beach hero!
Image by Blair Witherington
Science on Social Media
Hiding in Plain Sight
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White-tailed deer fawns have a remarkable “hider” strategy that keeps them safe in their first weeks of life.
Now That’s a Needlefish!
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FWC’s Fisheries-Independent Monitoring biologists recently caught this impressive houndfish during monthly sampling in Tampa Bay.
Panther Kitten Rescue
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GPS data indicated a female Florida panther radio-collared during the 2026 capture season was denning, but over time biologists observed that the mother was no longer returning to the den.
Publication Spotlight
The endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) has been protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2003. Once common throughout the Indian River Lagoon, in Florida, the species was extirpated from this estuarine system by the 1970s because of bycatch mortality. Hotline reports of small juveniles in this estuarine system were rare until 2015, when an increase in reports began and peaked between 2020 and 2023, prompting research to assess habitat use.
Torre SF, Wooley AK, Heath LB, Yakich DM, Poulakis GR, et al. 2026. Reemergence of the endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in a historical nursery in southeast Florida. Fish Bull. 124(1–2):14–26.
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As the research division within FWC, FWRI operates programs statewide that focus on obtaining
the wide-ranging data and information needed by fish, wildlife, and ecosystem resource managers.
The FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute seeks to fill positions with caring and qualified individuals. FWRI recruits primarily scientists and science technicians. Business services and facility maintenance also require the expertise of qualified management, administrative, public information, clerical and maintenance staff. FWRI also offers both internship and limited volunteer opportunities. FWRI interns are college-level students or post-graduates who spend a semester working with a mentor to obtain career guidance and experience. FWRI volunteers provide general assistance to FWRI for a variable period of time.
MarineQuest
We invite you to join us for MarineQuest, FWRI's annual open house. This award-winning event is an opportunity for you and your family to learn about Florida's fish and wildlife and FWRI's exciting research.
