We thank our sponsors for their financial and logistical support: Dr. Terry Maple and The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches; The Florida Sea Turtle License Plate Grants Program; Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures (JASA); the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation, The Bay and Paul Foundation; The Philanthropic Collaborative;  Mr. Charles Wood; Mr. Doug Kahle;  The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary of Jupiter, Florida;  The Taras Oceanographic Foundation of Jupiter, Florida.

Thanks also to our Scientific Advisors, Colleagues, and Collaborators:

Drs. Anne and Peter Meylan (Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Eckerd College, respectively);  Mr. Chris Johnson, Mr. Michael Frick, Dr. Richard Snider (Michigan State University);  Dr. David Owens and Gaelle Blanvillain (The Grice laboratory at the College of Charleston, SC);  Prof. Jessica Miles (Palm Beach Community College); Dr. Jim Wetterer (Florida Atlantic University Honor’s College); Drs. Barbara Brunnick and Stefan Harzen of the Taras Oceanographic Foundation;  Mr. Steve Reichard;  Ms. Kay Tennant; all dive interns and volunteers; and the helpful crew at JASA.

The Comprehensive Florida Hawksbill Research and Conservation Program

Since early 2004, long-time South Florida sea turtle biologist Larry Wood has been conducting research on the hawksbill turtles of Palm Beach.  Known well to divers for decades, the hawksbills of Florida have escaped the attention of all but a few scientists.  This project represents the first systematic study of the hawksbills of Florida, and is designed to contribute significantly to our understanding and conservation of this remarkable species.  

photo courtesy of John Lopinot

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