A history of research and management of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) on the South Carolina coast : final report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

Sea turtle nesting projects in South Carolina data back to the 1930's. In the last decade the Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Diversity Section has been standardizing the nesting projects methodology and the data that is collected. Through annual training seminars and semiannual site visits, sea turtle project volunteers and employees are updated on the latest scientific information regarding sea turtle conservation and management. Over the years the number of projects has grown. In 1997, 19 permits were issued to conduct nest protections projects along the South Carolina coast. A history of each protection project is included within this report, along with the abstracts of research on nesting females in South Carolina, a techincal guidance summary of the data collected from the protection projects.