Under CMTTP guidelines, you are required to electronically submit your tagging data and encounters with turtles already carrying tags every year using the CMTTP Excel template.
The CMTTP Excel template can be downloaded by clicking HERE (Tip: check your download folder) or can be requested from: accstr@ufl.edu
CMTTP Database Requirements for Annual Data Submission
The CMTTP distributes about 10,000 flipper tags each year and receives data for most of these tags and recaptures. We have realized that keeping one coherent and effective database for these very important data is extremely difficult if the CMTTP collaborators are using different database formats. Use of the template also ensures that we have all necessary information needed to match recaptured turtles to their original tagging programs. If all of the collaborators would use the CMTTP data template (link above) to submit their annual reports, it would make a huge difference in the management of the CMTTP database. If you have any problems or questions, contact us at accstr@ufl.edu Many thanks for helping to keep the CMTTP functioning smoothly!
Data Template
Please review the following as it provides a description of the data fields found in the CMTTP data template (see link above) and required formatting for data entry. Data for each observation of each turtle newly tagged or recaptured should be entered on separate rows.
Project type
Include a “project type” for each turtle listed. Project types are: nesting beach monitoring; cold stun; stranding (other than cold stunning); incidental catch – shrimp trawl, fish trawl, gill net, longline, hook and line, pound net, dredges, other; captive reared; power plant impingement; research – by hand (includes cast and dip nets), entanglement net, encircle netting, pound net, gill net, shrimp and fish trawl; if none of the above, then describe.
Species
Use either abbreviations (e.g., CM, CC, DC, EI, LK, etc.) or scientific name (e.g., Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, etc).
Capture Information
Include Date and Location information. Date should be entered in its entirely into one cell, not in separate cells for, month, day, and year. Date format is mm/dd/yyyy. For Location, include in separate columns Site name, County and State if in the US. If outside the US insert Country name in the state column. Include latitude and longitude (in separate columns) in decimal degree format (e.g., 28.12345 and -83.12345). If needed, conversion formulas to express latitude and longitude in decimal degree can be found on Google. Remember to include a leading “-“ (negative symbol) for the longitude to indicate the western hemisphere (where appropriate). Do not separate the whole number and decimal into different cells. Do not include “N”, “S”, “W”, or “E”.
Existing Tags
Include each flipper tag present when the turtle was encountered in the Existing Tags columns. Include PIT tag number already in the turtle in the Existing PIT Tag column. If there is an option, provide the PIT tag number in the 15-digit decimal format. Use separate columns for each tag encountered and include only the unique letter(s)/number(s) found on the tag. Do not insert any spaces, e.g., between letters and numbers, or abbreviations, e.g., RF, LF. Insert additional columns if the turtle was encountered with more than two flipper tags or more than one PIT tag.
Recapture
Indicate “Yes” if the turtle was captured with any existing tags (flipper and/or PIT), regardless if they are recaptures from your program, from the same night/day, or from a different program. Otherwise, indicate “No” in the Recapture column if the turtle cannot be identified by an existing flipper or PIT tag.
Applied Tags
Include each flipper tag applied prior to release of the turtle in the Applied Tags columns. Include PIT tag number applied to the turtle in the Applied PIT Tag column. If there is an option, provide the PIT tag number in the 15-digit decimal format. Use separate columns for each tag applied and include only the tag letter/number. Do not insert any spaces, e.g., between letters and numbers, or abbreviations, e.g., RF, LF. Insert additional columns, if needed, to list all the flipper and/or PIT tags applied prior to release of the turtle.
Measurements
If available, please include the following measurements. Please submit length measurements in centimeters.
- Straight Carapace Length notch to tip (SCL N-T), “standard”
- Straight Carapace Length notch to notch (SCL N-N), “minimum”
- Straight Carapace Width (SCW)
- Curved Carapace Length notch to tip (CCL N-T), “standard”
- Curved Carapace Length notch to notch (CCL N-N), “minimum”
- Curved Carapace Width (CCW)
- Weight (in kilograms)
Release Information
Include Date and Location information. Date should be entered in its entirely into one cell, not in separate cells for, month, day, and year. Date format is mm/dd/yyyy. For Location, include in separate columns Site name, County and State if in the US. If outside the US insert Country name in the state column. Include latitude and longitude (in separate columns) in decimal degree format (e.g., 28.12345 and -83.12345). If needed, conversion formulas for different formats to express latitude and longitude in decimal degree can be found on Google. Remember to include a leading “-“ (negative symbol) for the longitude to indicate the western hemisphere (where appropriate). Do not separate the whole number and decimal into different cells. Do not include “N”, “S”, “W”, or “E”.
Comments
Include additional remarks in this field, such as, capture method; and/or if turtle was sent to a rehabilitation facility, why and name or location of facility; presence of fibropapillomas or serious wounds.
You may add additional columns if you would like to include other information, such as stranding number or facility turtle ID, etc.
Please submit the Excel data file and project data to: ACCSTR@ufl.edu
If you have any questions, please email the ACCSTR@ufl.edu