In 2015, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) began a sea turtle education and conservation project to study the migration patterns of threatened loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf coast of Florida. The study will reveal important information about the turtle’s migratory behavior, including migratory routes, foraging grounds, and the areas of potential conflict with commercial fisheries or legal harvest of sea turtles. This critical information will enhance the ability of resource managers and conservationists in their efforts to protect loggerheads, both in U.S. waters and through international conservation efforts.The satellite transmitter attached to each loggerhead sends signals to orbiting satellites each time the turtles surface to breath. The data will be collected and downloaded to STC researchers. The information gained from this study will improve estimates of adult nesting population size, identify movement patterns and expand the knowledge on feeding ecology.
Educational migration maps will show the best location points of the turtle’s movements and locations. This will allow interested persons all over the world to watch along as researchers discover where the sea turtles travel after nesting. Through STC’s online educational program, the public is invited to watch along on the Internet as we learn more about these amazing animals.
For more information on sea turtles, check out the Sea Turtles Information section of our website.
Click on the turtle’s name to see a map of its movements.
2023Turtle
SUZI – Suzi is an adult female loggerhead sea turtles released on June 27, 2023 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Coquina Beach. She measured 99.1 cm in curved carapace (shell) length and 93.0 cm in curved carapace width. Suzi was named in honor of Suzi Fox, long-time Executive Director of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, who passed away last year. Suzi the turtle is taking part in the 2023 Tour de Turtles and was sponsored by Coastal Wildlife Club, Waterline Marina and Resort, and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch.
2022 Turtle
ESTHER – Esther is an adult female loggerhead sea turtles released on June 20, 2022 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Coquina Beach. She measured 91.4 cm in curved carapace (shell) length and 82.0 cm in curved carapace width. Esther is taking part in the 2022 Tour de Turtles and was named by her sponsors, Waterline Marina and Resort, Mainsail Vacation Rentals, and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch.
2019 Turtle
BORTIE TOO – Bortie Too (also known as Luna) is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle released on June 21, 2019 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Anna Maria Island, FL. She measured 92.4 cm in curved carapace (shell) length and 84.7 cm curved carapace width. Bortie Too is following after Brotie and took part in the 2019 Tour de Turtles. She was named by her sponsors, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Bortell’s Lounge.
2018 Turtle
BORTIE – Bortie is an adult female loggerhead sea turtles released on June 19, 2018 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Coquina Beach. She measured 87.1 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. Bortie took part in the 2018 Tour de Turtles and was named by her sponsors, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, Bortell’s Lounge. & Waterline Marina and Resort.
2017 Turtle
ELIZA ANN – Eliza Ann is an adult female loggerhead sea turtles released on June 20, 2017 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Coquina Beach. She measured 109.5 cm in curved carapace (shell) length and 110.7 cm in curved carapace width. Eliza Ann is taking part in the 2017 Tour de Turtles and was named by her sponsors, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Waterline Marina and Resort.
2015 Turtle
AMIE – Amie is an adult female loggerhead sea turtles released on June 23, 2015 with a satellite transmitter after nesting on Coquina Beach. She took part in the 2015 Tour de Turtles and was named by her sponsor, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch. The name Amie stands for Anna Maria Island Elementary.
