Abstract
As the human population and number of registered vessels continue to increase along coastlines, it is vital to analyze the rate at which humans are having negative interactions with sea turtles and other marine life. This study analyzed human interaction (HI) records involving vessels and fishery gear within Sarasota County and Longboat Key, Florida from 2010 to 2019. There was a significant increase in stranded sea turtles with evidence of HI throughout the study period (p = 0.01202). The three most common sea turtle species reported were loggerheads (Caretta caretta), greens (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii). This longitudinal study identified vessel strikes as the most common type of HI and the significant geographic areas for vessel strikes, fishery gear interactions, and multiple types of HI. Recommendations were made to increase monitoring and enforcement within high traffic go-slow zones, placement of permanent, educational signage along the Venice Fishing Pier, and increased efforts of ghost and derelict gear removal.