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Marine Turtle Newsletter 46:1-2, © 1989

Florida (USA) Terminates 'Headstart' Program

J. Alan Huff
Section Supervisor, Resource Recovery and Assessment, Bureau of Marine Research,
100 Eighth Avenue S.E., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095 USA.

In an effort to increase Florida's green turtle population, the Florida Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began a "headstart" program in 1959. Over 18,000 hatchling green turtles were raised in captivity for 6-12 months prior to their release to offset high initial mortality. Approximately a dozen facilities around the state participated in the program, with the House of Refuge in Stuart [Florida] serving as the main facility. Through recaptures of tagged turtles, the project has provided important data on the survival and growth of captive-reared turtles in the wild. Also, through public displays and releases, the program has had tremendous success in making the public aware of the endangered status of this species.

The ultimate success of the project, measured by increasing Florida's green turtle population, remains unknown. From the beginning, headstarting was recognized as experimental in nature. To our knowledge, no headstarted juvenile turtle has ever been documented to nest as an adult. This could be due to incomplete surveillance of nesting beaches, loss of tags, or because of the long time it takes green turtles to become reproductively active. It is also possible that the lack of nesting records could be evidence that there are fundamental problems with the practice. Possible interference with imprinting mechanisms that guide turtles to the nesting beach, imbalance in sex ratios from artificial incubation of eggs, nutritional deficiency problems from confined maintenance of hatchlings, and behavioral modifications are all potentially serious problems that are cause for concern.

Florida DNR considers that a sufficient investment has now been made in the first phase of the headstart program; i.e., collecting, rearing and releasing young green turtles. The intent now is to implement the second phase which is to await the return of headstarted turtles to the nesting beach. If significant numbers of headstarted turtles begin appearing on nesting beaches, the Department will consider continuing the program.

After the hatchlings from the 1988 nesting season are released, the Department will not be issuing permits to facilities for headstarting green turtles or any other species. The Department will continue to pursue other strategies to ensure the future of Florida's sea turtle populations. These include promoting the sea of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to reduce incidental mortality in shrimp trawls, increasing the protection of nesting beaches and foraging habitats, assisting with the implementation of lighting ordinances, providing standardized guidelines and training to sea turtle conservationists, and developing improved programs on beaches managed or owned by the State of Florida.

Florida DNR recognizes the important role of the headstart program has had in enlisting public support for marine turtles. Organizations that have been involved in the program are encouraged to utilize existing tank space for rehabilitating injured or sick turtles. The rehabilitation of turtles for release into the wild can be just as effective in educating the public about sea turtle biology and conservation.