Sea turtles and boating activities share waters, making sea turtles susceptible to vessel strikes. Targeted conservation strategies can reduce vessel strikes on sea turtles if stakeholder perspectives are skillfully incorporated into conservation planning. Here we report on an initial two-step investigation of potential conservation interventions to reduce vessel strikes on sea turtles. Step 1 was an expert workshop (Fall 2018) and Step 2 was a survey of recreational boaters in the St. Lucie Inlet, an identified vessel strike “hot spot” in Florida, USA (Winter 2019). We asked boaters about boating preferences and practices, existing and potential conservation interventions, and sea turtles. This talk will emphasize stated respondent preferences and ideas about engaging boaters.  Although small and seasonal (n= 146 boaters surveyed in January-April, 2019), our sample offers useful insights when combined with research team member observations and relevant literature.  This study can be replicated and built upon where proposed sea turtle conservation-related strategies are being considered, to help ensure contextual fit.  Improving our understanding of boater behaviours, preferences, and perceptions is imperative since vessel strikes remain a serious threat to sea turtles (and other animals). Boaters are a powerful, integral, and growing demographic that must be respectfully engaged for effective sea turtle conservation. Boaters can offer key information on how to best to involve boaters in sea turtle conservation while retaining boating community satisfaction and support. Boating community buy-in and compliance are essential for conservation success.

Researchers: Zoe Meletis, Matthew Ware, Natalie Wilderman and Mariana, M.P.B. Fuentes.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.