Sea Turtle Husbandry
413
al., 2000; Voss et al., 1988), and little information is available on captive rearing
of the olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) (Rajagopalan et al., 1984) and flatback
( Natator depressus ).
Many facilities, throughout the world, have experimented with rearing sea turtles
in captivity, some with more success than others (Wood, 1991; Stickney, 2000). In
the 1960s and 1970s, rearing sea turtles in captivity was synonymous with farming
or ranching, primarily as a response to new laws protecting the wild take of sea
turtles (Stickney, 2000). In the 1980s, there was a shift in focus from farming to
research (Huff, 1989; Caillouet, 2000; Caillouet et al., 1997). Most facilities are now
rearing sea turtles for public display or conservation (Ross, 1999), with efforts
directed toward wild stock enhancement.
In 1977, the National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Turtle Facility (NMFS STF),
was established in Galveston, TX. The NMFS STF is a U.S. federal government
facility dedicated to rearing sea turtles for research, specifically aimed at reducing
sea turtle bycatch in the U.S. commercial fisheries (Mitchell et al., 1989). Large
sample sizes are required for certifying and evaluating potential sea-turtle-saving
measures, thus necessitating the rearing of hundreds of sea turtles each year. The
NMFS STF also rears loggerheads and Kemp’s ridleys for research on physiology,
tagging, and genetic and population dynamics. This chapter uses the NMFS STF as
a model facility to describe successful sea turtle husbandry techniques.
16.2 REARING FACILITIES
Creating a suitable environment in which to raise sea turtles requires the ability to
house the turtles in a controlled environment. In the U.S., all sea turtle species are
protected animals, and there are specific state (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission [FWC], 2002) and federal (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1973)
government guidelines regulating sea turtle holding and rearing operations, including
tank dimensions, feed, and environmental requirements. Tank layout and water
delivery systems used to hold sea turtles are varied and include ocean pens constructed along shorelines; large concrete tanks with flow-through water delivery; or
many small tanks connected to complex recirculating biofilter systems. The layout
of the NMFS STF has been described previously in several publications (Caillouet,
1988; 2000; Fontaine et al., 1985; 1988; 1990) and consists of a static water system
containing twenty 5940-l fiberglass raceways. The raceways are contained in a
temperature-controlled warehouse-style building.
16.2.1 T ANK S ELECTION
The physical dimensions and material in which the turtles are contained are determined by the size and activity of the species cultured. Smooth-surfaced, unfurnished
containers that are large enough to allow for unimpeded movement and complete
submersion of the turtle are the minimum requirements. Sea turtles will eat artificial
corals, fish, standpipes, plumbing, and other tank furnishings. Great care should be
exercised when placing a turtle in a tank to ensure that it cannot be injured through
impact with or ingestion of tank furnishings. Plexiglas is easily scratched by sharp
1123_C16 Page 413 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM
413
al., 2000; Voss et al., 1988), and little information is available on captive rearing
of the olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) (Rajagopalan et al., 1984) and flatback
( Natator depressus ).
Many facilities, throughout the world, have experimented with rearing sea turtles
in captivity, some with more success than others (Wood, 1991; Stickney, 2000). In
the 1960s and 1970s, rearing sea turtles in captivity was synonymous with farming
or ranching, primarily as a response to new laws protecting the wild take of sea
turtles (Stickney, 2000). In the 1980s, there was a shift in focus from farming to
research (Huff, 1989; Caillouet, 2000; Caillouet et al., 1997). Most facilities are now
rearing sea turtles for public display or conservation (Ross, 1999), with efforts
directed toward wild stock enhancement.
In 1977, the National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Turtle Facility (NMFS STF),
was established in Galveston, TX. The NMFS STF is a U.S. federal government
facility dedicated to rearing sea turtles for research, specifically aimed at reducing
sea turtle bycatch in the U.S. commercial fisheries (Mitchell et al., 1989). Large
sample sizes are required for certifying and evaluating potential sea-turtle-saving
measures, thus necessitating the rearing of hundreds of sea turtles each year. The
NMFS STF also rears loggerheads and Kemp’s ridleys for research on physiology,
tagging, and genetic and population dynamics. This chapter uses the NMFS STF as
a model facility to describe successful sea turtle husbandry techniques.
16.2 REARING FACILITIES
Creating a suitable environment in which to raise sea turtles requires the ability to
house the turtles in a controlled environment. In the U.S., all sea turtle species are
protected animals, and there are specific state (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission [FWC], 2002) and federal (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1973)
government guidelines regulating sea turtle holding and rearing operations, including
tank dimensions, feed, and environmental requirements. Tank layout and water
delivery systems used to hold sea turtles are varied and include ocean pens constructed along shorelines; large concrete tanks with flow-through water delivery; or
many small tanks connected to complex recirculating biofilter systems. The layout
of the NMFS STF has been described previously in several publications (Caillouet,
1988; 2000; Fontaine et al., 1985; 1988; 1990) and consists of a static water system
containing twenty 5940-l fiberglass raceways. The raceways are contained in a
temperature-controlled warehouse-style building.
16.2.1 T ANK S ELECTION
The physical dimensions and material in which the turtles are contained are determined by the size and activity of the species cultured. Smooth-surfaced, unfurnished
containers that are large enough to allow for unimpeded movement and complete
submersion of the turtle are the minimum requirements. Sea turtles will eat artificial
corals, fish, standpipes, plumbing, and other tank furnishings. Great care should be
exercised when placing a turtle in a tank to ensure that it cannot be injured through
impact with or ingestion of tank furnishings. Plexiglas is easily scratched by sharp
1123_C16 Page 413 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM