Sea Turtle Program
Sea turtles have existed for 110 million years and yet the species living today face an uncertain future. Habitat encroachment and degradation, pollution, incidental capture in commercial fisheries, and strikes by watercraft are only some of the hazards that sea turtles must face as each species struggles to survive.
FWC's three divisions help protect sea turtles and their habitat:
Division of Habitat and Species Conservation - Imperiled Species Management (ISM)
ISM is primarily responsible for the management efforts of sea turtle recovery. This includes reviewing permits for coastal construction and other beach activities, commenting on land acquisition and management of nesting habitat, evaluating the success of protection measures in the field, and administration of permits for sea turtle research and rehabilitation.
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)
FWRI is responsible for conducting and coordinating research on Florida’s sea turtles to provide information on abundance, distribution, mortality, and other factors that contribute to management decisions.
Division of Law Enforcement (DLE)
DLE is committed to protecting Florida's natural resources and people through proactive and responsive law enforcement services. This includes enforcing laws regarding sea turtles.
