Tracking post-release movement patterns of New York’s rehabilitated sea turtles and their utilization of different marine habitats.
The New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) is gearing up for another summer filled with sea turtle research and releases. Since 2017, Rescue Program Director Maxine Montello has been releasing rehabilitated sea turtles equipped with satellite tags which allows for post-release monitoring. These devices provide live tracking of released sea turtles and help us to further understand their behavior in local and surrounding waters.
In New York, sea turtles strand for various reasons including entanglement, vessel interaction, malnourishment/debilitation, and cold stunning with many cases linked to human activities and overlap of shared resources between sea turtle and human populations. NYMRC provides both in-field rescue and rehabilitation to four species of sea turtles: leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridleys, loggerheads, and greens. Many of these animals are admitted for rehabilitation which averages between 6-9 months. Once cleared for release by attending veterinarians, sea turtles are provided with flipper and PIT tags for future identification, and some are equipped with tracking devices. These tracking devices are costly so only a handful of sea turtles are provided with a tag each release season. Data obtained from these tags are shared with NYMRC’s supporters through the NYMRC website www.nymarinerescue.org where patrons can live track these charismatic megafaunas!
“Understanding sea turtle behavior is crucial due to the limited information that is available regarding local populations within New York waters. In addition, this research showcases how important the work we do at NYMRC is and that we are providing these animals with a second chance by returning them back home to the ocean.” 
Maxine Montello, Rescue Program Director at the NYMRC.
NYMRC plans to release over 35 sea turtles back home this summer. All public releases will be shared via NYMRC’s social media platforms and website.
The New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC), formally the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation. Our mission is to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we are the primary responders for sick or injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins (cetaceans), porpoises and small toothed whales, and maintain the only permanent pinniped (seals) and sea turtle rehabilitation center in New York State. As the primary organization in New York State authorized to work with these animals by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we are dedicated to the conservation of these pinnipeds and sea turtles. Our mission is to provide a sustainable response effort for marine mammals and sea turtles stranding throughout New York; operate the only facility in New York permitted to rehabilitate marine mammals and sea turtles; collect sound science to help identify stranding trends, highlight viruses, and continue to protect endangered and threatened species; and encourage conservation and stewardship of the marine environmental through scientific research and public educational programs.
