GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271357
- 1. Title of Project
- Using Satellite and Acoustic Tags to Study Population Dynamics, Habitat Use, and Human Interactions for Sea Turtles in the Mississippi Sound
- 2. Location of Project
- Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties, Mississippi.
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Inc.
- 4a. Name
- Moby Solangi, Ph.D.
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-896-9182
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 10801 Dolphin Lane
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- 4f. Email
- moby@imms.org
- 5. FundingRequested
- $1,500,000
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $1,500,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Gulf represents critical foraging and nesting habitat for 5 of the 7 world's sea turtle species. The northern Gulf, specifically, the Mississippi Sound, has historically been known to be important foraging grounds for these sea turtles throughout their different life stages. For example, the Mississippi Sound is rich in prey species that certain sea turtles favor (e.g., Blue Crabs, various fish species, shrimp species, ext.). However, the exact locations of ideal sea turtle habitat and sea turtle behavior (daily movements, migration intervals, home range, ext.) in the Mississippi Sound are relatively unknown. Additionally, the rates of incidental bycatch by fishing piers on the Mississippi Sound are considerably high given the amount of sea turtles inhabiting the area. This creates a need to not only better understand the life history, ecology, and behavior of the various sea turtle species in the Northern Gulf, but to also address the effect and frequency of pier interactions by these sea turtles to ultimately better protect and conserve these different species by ultimately reducing the accidental by catch frequency. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS), established in 1984, has a long history of sea turtle rehabilitation (Nero et al. 2016), research (Samuelson et al. 2020), and tracking (Lyn et al. 2012; Coleman et al. 2017) relating to the biology and behavioral ecology of the different species that inhabit the coastlines of Mississippi. To continue IMMSs mission of rehabilitation, research, and tracking of sea turtles in the northern Gulf, we propose utilizing satellite and acoustic telemetry to properly assess the sea turtles in the Mississippi Sound. Satellite tagging allows us to properly determine home ranges and seasonal behavior of these endangered animals. Acoustic tags allow us to properly address daily behaviors and to identify critical habitat of these sea turtles. Acoustic tags give us the unique opportunity to evaluate and address the frequency and interactions with local fishing piers that have been historically known to attract and, as a result, accidentally catch sea turtles through accidental bycatch. As result, these tags can ultimately reduce this phenomenon from occurring. Especially since most sea turtles that IMMS rehabilitate are cases of accidental bycatch from fishing piers. Further, in conjunction with the IMMS veterinary hospital, we can assess the success of rehabilitation by tracking those sea turtles that have been successfully returned to the wild.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- We want to use satellite and acoustic tags on the various sea turtle species that are encountered in the Mississippi Sound. In all, the information acquired from this project will help state and federal agencies better manage and protect our state's marine resources: 1) Address life history and behavioral ecology 2) Document critical foraging habitat and to address pier-related foraging habits 3) Verify the success of rehabilitation of sea turtles at IMMS 4) Record the health of the Mississippi Sound.
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: The Gulf is one of the most important natural resources that Mississippi has in relation to fisheries and the unique species that inhabit these waters. Using satellite and acoustic tracking on sea turtles, we can properly assess how important the northern Gulf habitat is to the different sea turtle species that encounter our coastlines. This gives us the unique opportunity to evaluate and address the frequency and interactions with local fishing piers that have been historically known to attract and, as a result, accidentally catch sea turtles through accidental bycatch. Further, the information acquired from this project will help state and federal agencies better manage and protect our state's marine resources.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- Additionally, yearly progress reports will be generated to properly address timeline milestones, provide updates, and adjust protocols (if needed). YEAR 1. The proposed start date of the project will be in 2026. Any equipment that needs to be purchased will be obtained to achieve the desired objectives. Piers and known foraging hotspots throughout the Mississippi Sound will have acoustic arrays deployed. Additionally, local state and private facilities will be contacted about other outstanding arrays that may be present within the Gulf. YEAR 1-2 (2026 – 2027). Satellite and acoustic tagging will be placed on sea turtles as they are admitted to the veterinary hospital. Initial data management and analysis will begin as 2026 ends and 2027 begins. Any equipment needing to be replaced or updated will be ordered. YEAR 3 (2028). Year 3 will consist of generating manuscripts and presenting data at local, regional, and international conferences (e.g., Bays and Bayous Symposium, Southeastern Regional Sea Turtle Conference, International Sea Turtle Conference, ext.).
- 13. Project Timing
- Deferred/Long-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other N/A Funds Not Budgeted
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- The Mississippi Sound has historically been known to be important foraging grounds for these sea turtles throughout their different life stages. For example, the Mississippi Sound is rich in prey species that certain sea turtles favor (e.g., Blue Crabs, various fish species, shrimp species, ext.). However, the exact locations of ideal sea turtle habitat and sea turtle behavior (daily movements, migration intervals, home range, ext.) in the Mississippi Sound are relatively unknown. Additionally, the rates of incidental bycatch by fishing piers on the Mississippi Sound are considerably high given the amount of sea turtles inhabiting the area. This creates a need to not only better understand the life history, ecology, and behavior of the various sea turtle species in the Northern Gulf, but to also address the effect and frequency of pier interactions by these sea turtles to ultimately better protect and conserve these different species by ultimately reducing the accidental by catch frequency. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS), established in 1984, has a long history of sea turtle rehabilitation (Nero et al. 2016), research (Samuelson et al. 2020), and tracking (Lyn et al. 2012; Coleman et al. 2017) relating to the biology and behavioral ecology of the different species that inhabit the coastlines of Mississippi. To continue IMMSs mission of rehabilitation, research, and tracking of sea turtles in the northern Gulf, we propose utilizing satellite and acoustic telemetry to properly assess the sea turtles in the Mississippi Sound. Satellite tagging allows us to properly determine home ranges and seasonal behavior of these endangered animals. Acoustic tags allow us to properly address daily behaviors and to identify critical habitat of these sea turtles. Acoustic tags give us the unique opportunity to evaluate and address the frequency and interactions with local fishing piers that have been historically known to attract and, as a result, accidentally catch sea turtles through accidental bycatch. As result, these tags can ultimately reduce this phenomenon from occurring. Especially since most sea turtles that IMMS rehabilitate are cases of accidental bycatch from fishing piers. Further, in conjunction with the IMMS veterinary hospital, we can assess the success of rehabilitation by tracking those sea turtles that have been successfully returned to the wild. Further, the information acquired from this project will help state and federal agencies better manage and protect our state's marine resources.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 12/31/2029
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $787,301
- Travel
- $9,000
- Architecture & Engineering
- Legal
- Consulting
- $60,000
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- $120,000
- Indirects
- $310,000
- Other
- $213,699
- Total
- $1,500,000
- Application Submission Date
- 09/26/2025
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments