Say hello to Denise, the BGSTA permit holder for Boca Grande

BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY

Since May 1st, a hearty group of BGSTA volunteers have been out in the early morning patrolling Gasparilla Island beaches to document and monitor sea turtle nesting activity. You’ve seen the weekly statistics published in the Boca Beacon, so you know how much work is being done here. But we are just a very small non-profit organization of about 24 volunteers, doing our part in a bigger statewide sea turtle conservation effort. Across Florida last year, there were 264 Florida beaches conducting sea turtle nesting surveys using around 2,900 volunteers to collect and submit more than 250,000 records. Who oversees these volunteers on these various beaches and is responsible for everything they do as part of this effort? Why, that would be the Marine Turtle Permit Holder.

In Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues Marine Turtle Permits for activities involving marine (sea) turtles. The state has this authority through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 6 of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Sea turtles and their nests are protected by both federal and state laws, making it illegal to “take, possess, disturb, mutilate, destroy, cause to be destroyed, sell, offer for sale, transfer, molest, or harass any marine turtle or its nest or eggs at any time,” according to the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act. In this state, an appropriate permit issued by the FWC is required to perform any activity involving sea turtles.

While FWC publishes statistics about sea turtle activity, they do not publish the number of Marine Turtle Permits issued, nor the number of permit holders. Issued permits may be limited to one or two specific beaches or may encompass several beaches in a given geographic area. On Gasparilla Island, FWC has designated the beach in Charlotte County as Gasparilla Island North, and in Lee County as Gasparilla Island South (excluding the state park area).

Denise Juergens holds the Marine Turtle Permit for these two beaches (MTP #25-123A) and all work performed by BGSTA volunteers is under her responsibility and direction, in accordance with that permit. To be clear, the permit is issued to Denise as an individual, not to the BGSTA organization. Denise has the huge responsibility of ensuring all the BGSTA volunteers understand and work within the limits of her permit. Unauthorized activity by any volunteer could result in suspension or revocation of the permit, effectively ending the BGSTA’s activities in support of sea turtle conservation.

To qualify for a Marine Turtle Permit, Denise had to prove she possesses the appropriate knowledge and experience, and she had to demonstrate the proposed activity covered by the permit will enhance the conservation of sea turtles. Required experience includes conducting sea turtle nesting surveys for a minimum of two nesting seasons. Denise had seven seasons when she applied, or 200 hours. To prove she had the required level of knowledge to be eligible to receive a permit, she had to achieve a score of 90 percent on a standardized comprehensive qualifying examination pertaining to general marine turtle biology, nests, species characteristics, and any information in the FWC’s 170-page Marine Turtle Conservation Handbook. And there is no study guide. Fortunately, she passed with flying colors and has held the permit for several years now.

Denise is unabashedly a stickler for the rules associated with the FWC program, and because of that she is highly regarded by all BGSTA volunteers, as well as FWC and other entities with which she works regarding sea turtle matters. She earns their respect through her dedication, professionalism and collaborative spirit. Her goal is to ensure all the work performed by our BGSTA turtle patrol volunteers is accurate and complete so that we are providing quality data to FWC in support of their sea turtle conservation program.

Any FWC Marine Turtle Permit allows only up to 24 authorized personnel, who must be listed on the permit, to conduct the conservation work under the supervision and at the request of the permit holder. Denise must ensure all her authorized volunteers are properly trained to independently perform their patrol duties. Training is provided not only by FWC, but Denise ensures practical on-the-beach training and other educational opportunities occur throughout the season as necessary. No non-authorized personnel may participate in permitted activities, much to the disappointment of family, friends, and on-the-beach observers of BGSTA turtle patrollers. They often ask if they can hold hatchlings, help us dig inventories or other activities, but that is not allowed.

Different permit holders on different beaches may operate under different authorizations and limitations than we do. Some may be authorized to perform research, some may perform rehabilitation activities, some may offer various educational outreach opportunities. The reasons for the differences can be based on a number of factors, but the bottom line for any permit holder is that the activity must be specifically authorized on the permit. Each time Denise applies to renew her permit, she must determine what types of activities are necessary on the island beaches, and that are sustainable with our limited resources, and she then seeks authorization for those activities on her permit.

I know I speak for all the BGSTA volunteers when I say we are so grateful for Denise, with her knowledge, her leadership, and her unwavering dedication to sea turtle conservation. This volunteer, who spends countless hours every day doing the right thing for the turtles, often at the expense of her personal family time, should be recognized and applauded. So, if you happen to see Denise out patrolling on the beach, or you talk to her on the phone about a turtle issue, please thank her for everything she does!

Find out more: If you’d like to learn more about the BGSTA, including what we do and how you can support us, please visit our website at bocagrandeseaturtles.org

From Florida State Parks:

Gasparilla Island: 35 Loggerhead – 4 Green – 1,328 hatchlings

Cayo Costa: 526 Loggerhead – 17 Green – 23,542 hatchlings

Don Pedro: 140 Loggerhead – 66 Green –       5,927 hatchlings

Stump Pass: 69 Loggerhead – 1 Green – 2,620 hatchlings