1. Effects of Beach Renourishment on Sea Turtles in NC Liz Berg

2. Beach Renourishment as Hazard  Sea turtles in NC Loggerhead Loggerhead Green Green Kemp’s ridley Kemp’s ridley Leatherback Leatherback  At Sea Can be sucked up a dredge Can be sucked up a dredge Ex.) Carteret County- 4 turtles killedEx.) Carteret County- 4 turtles killed Loggerhead

3. Danger on Land  Turtles lay about 120 soft-shelled eggs ~ 1 of 10,000 hatchlings will reach adulthood ~ 1 of 10,000 hatchlings will reach adulthood  Females will not nest: 1.) beach too steep 1.) beach too steep 2.) if beach is bathed in artificial light 2.) if beach is bathed in artificial light 3.) sand not the right consistency 3.) sand not the right consistency  Beach too steep Can’t climb up to nest Can’t climb up to nest

4. Artificial light  Turtles like to nest at night, try to avoid bright light  Encounter pipes that move sand  Nest destroyed Buried by new sand Buried by new sand Destroyed by heavy machinery Destroyed by heavy machinery  Hatchling disoriented by light

5. Unsuitable Sand  Studies: # of turtle nests decreases on a renourished beach Too much silt, shell, rock fragments Too much silt, shell, rock fragments Alter hatchlings ability to escapeAlter hatchlings ability to escape Shells may puncture eggsShells may puncture eggs Different physical properties: Different physical properties: Gas diffusion, moisture content, temperatureGas diffusion, moisture content, temperature Sex ratios: boys-cool, girls-warmSex ratios: boys-cool, girls-warm

6. Reduce Hazards for Sea Turtles  Monitor dredge operations  Move nests  Renourishment projects opposite nesting season  Renourishment projects when water above 58 degrees F  New sand used should closely match old sand