Everett and Peter journey south

Editor’s Note: This year, the STPS Board of Directors has funded two satellite transmitters for Dean Bagley, a researcher with the University of Central Florida’s Marine Turtle Research Group. STPS has supported Bagley’s work researching male green sea turtles for several years. This year, the board has named the two male green sea turtles being tracked with the satellite transmitters. The first is named Everett, in honor of longtime STPS volunteer Everett Tindall who turned 91 in June. The second turtle has been named Peter, in honor of STPS founder Peter Bandre and the 35^th anniversary of the organization in 2021. Dean Bagley will provide periodic updates to STPS as she tracks the turtles this summer.

By DEAN BAGLEY,

UCF Marine Turtle Research Group researcher

Please see the maps included for the updated locations of the two turtles, Everett and Peter.

Everett was deployed at sunrise on June 9, 2021, just south of Tuscany Sun Motel in Melbourne Beach, FL. He left immediately, crossing Sebastian Inlet before dinnertime that day. By June 13, he was off Jupiter Island. By June 15, he was at Highland Beach, between Delray and Deerfield beaches, where he spent 15 days — until June 30. From there, he began his journey south again, took a quick tour of Biscayne Bay and then continued down the Keys. He took a quick look at Boca Grande Channel and west of the Marquesas, where so many of our previous turtles have gone, but continued west and then north through the Quicksands to an area known as “New Ground” on NOAA charts. His most recent location was in the group of hits below the date and time as of 05:25 am on July 14. We’ll have to wait and see if this is home, or if he’s just stopping to rest.

Peter was deployed on June 26, 2021, from the south side of South Shores condominium in Melbourne Beach, FL. Unlike Everett, Peter remained in our area for another 11 days, spending all of his time between Beachwoods Condos and the Sebastian Beach Inn, going back and forth, over and over, presumably socializing with the ladies. On July 6, as he reached the inn, he kept going south and passed Sebastian Inlet, leaving us behind. He spent a short time off Wabasso Beach and three days off Indian River Shores before migrating down the coast, reaching Palm Beach Shores on July 14 at 06:50 a.m. It will be interesting to see where he goes!