ACCSTR
Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research
University of Florida
Karen Bjorndal, Director
University of Florida
PO Box 118525
Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA
Tel: (01) 352-392-5194
FAX: (01) 352-392-9166
Email: kab@zoology.ufl.edu
The Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research (ACCSTR) at the University of
Florida was established in 1986 by the University Board of Regents of the State
of Florida in recognition of the outstanding achievements and pioneering
research of the late Dr. Archie Carr and the University of Florida's
international reputation in the field of sea turtle research.
Our Vision
seeking innovative solutions for sea turtle conservation through research and education
Our Mission
The mission of the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research is to conduct research in all aspects of the biology of sea turtles, to train graduate students, and to further sea turtle conservation through the communication of these research results to the scientific community, management agencies, and conservation organizations throughout the world.
ACCSTR Faculty Advisory Board
Karen A. Bjorndal, Department of Zoology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida
Benjamin Bolker, Department of Zoology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida
Alan B. Bolten, Department of Zoology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida
Raymond R. Carthy, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Florida
Elliott R. Jacobson, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
Paul A. Klein, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida
Research Program
ACCSTR affiliates undertake research at all scales from the molecular to the ecosystem level, from studies of population structure based on mitochondrial DNA to the effects of ocean circulation patterns on the movements and distribution of sea turtle populations. With a large research university as a base, we can take an interdisciplinary approach to address complex problems of sea turtle biology and conservation. ACCSTR research faculty are drawn from a wide range of specialties within the University of Florida community including biology, human and veterinary medicine, biotechnology, and environmental engineering.
Graduate Education
The ACCSTR has a very active graduate student program with
students from a number of departments at the University of Florida. The
involvement of graduate students in our research ensures that, while answering
critical questions in sea turtle biology, we are also training future sea
turtle biologists and conservationists.
International Conservation
ACCSTR faculty research affiliates play a vital role in international sea turtle conservation. Many of us serve on national and international committees and are involved in global networks that allow us to integrate our research findings with management and conservation policies. We work extensively with colleagues around the world.
Conservation Strategy for Sea Turtles in
The Bahamas
Develop a Conservation Strategy
for Sea Turtles in The Bahamas and an implementation plan for the Strategy during a 3-day workshop that
will be held 25-27 January 2006 in
Resources Provided by the ACCSTR
CTURTLE
To improve communication among individuals around the world who are interested in sea turtle biology and conservation, the ACCSTR established and manages CTURTLE -- a Listserv discussion network with over 750 subscribers from more than 25 countries. Complete information on subscribing to CTURTLE is in the document CTURTLE. Messages to CTURTLE are archived in the CTURTLE Archives.
Sea Turtle Online Bibliography
The ACCSTR developed and manages the Sea Turtle Online Bibliography which includes over 12,000 references on all aspects of sea turtle biology, conservation and management. The bibliography is available over the Internet and is continually updated. Complete information on accessing the bibliography is in the document Sea Turtle Bibliography.
Cooperative Marine Turtle Tagging Program (CMTTP)
The ACCSTR, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center, has developed a centralized program to distribute sea turtle tags, manage tagging data, and facilitate exchange of tag information. Further information about the program is in the document CMTTP.
Sea Turtle Tag Inventory
The ACCSTR is maintaining the Sea Turtle Tag Inventory to avoid further duplication of tag numbers when tags are purchased by different research programs and to assist in reporting recapture data for turtles when only the tag number has been recorded. We invite our colleagues to send us their lists of tag series that have not come from either the ACCSTR or CMTTP so that we can add those tag series to the inventory. The greater the participation, the greater the potential to meet the objectives of the inventory.
Marine Turtle DNA Sequence Patterns
The ACCSTR has developed a website to facilitate marine turtle population genetic studies. As the number of laboratories conducting marine turtle genetics research increases and the chances for duplicating sequence designations increases, the coordination for identifying, naming, and cataloging sequence patterns becomes more critical. In an effort to facilitate this coordination and to avoid the confusion of duplication of sequence designations in publications, we have established this website for listing DNA sequence patterns.
Hematocrit and Plasma Biochemical Data
To monitor the physiological status of wild populations of sea turtles to ensure recovery of these threatened and endangered species, baseline hematocrit and blood biochemical reference intervals need to be established. To accomplish this recovery goal, a multidisciplinary collaboration has been developed that includes the College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Florida), the ACCSTR, the St. Lucie Power Plant (Florida Power and Light Corporation), the Marinelife Center of Juno Beach, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Data are updated regularly.
Satellite Telemetry Tracking Projects
The ACCSTR has developed a number of satellite telemetry projects to determine the migratory and distribution patterns of sea turtles. The ACCSTR is using state-of-the-art satellite remote sensing technologies to evaluate sea turtle movement patterns and to identify environmental cues for these patterns.
Support for the ACCSTR
Sea turtles face ever-increasing threats from a staggering array of sources as human populations grow, coastal habitats are developed, and marine habitats are degraded. Only through research can we hope to obtain the information necessary to counteract these threats and ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures.
The ACCSTR accepts donations to support their research, education, and conservation programs. For information on how you can help, please contact:
Karen Bjorndal, Director
University of Florida
PO Box 118525
Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA
Tel: (01) 352-392-5194
FAX: (01) 352-392-9166
Email: kab@zoology.ufl.edu
Please send information and suggestions about this web site to:
ACCSTR@zoology.ufl.edu