June 16th is World Sea Turtle Day, and we thought it would be fun to celebrate by getting to know someone who works with real sea turtles!
Karrie Minch is a biologist with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and is affiliated with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) as well as the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. She is one of three FWC biologists based at Marine Discovery Center, and her knowledge and assistance to our staff has been much appreciated over the years.
In honor of World Sea Turtle Day, we asked Karrie a few questions about working with sea turtles . . .
Q: How did you wind up in your current position?
A: My 12th grade Marine Biology teacher made her students volunteer at one of the local environmental centers for extra credit. I volunteered at the Marinelife Center of Juno Beach, now known as Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The Director at the time taught me all about sea turtles. This lead to a paid internship with Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management and then I was hired on by FWC in 1998!
Q: A lot of your work deals with sea turtle mortality. What are some things you really want the public to know about keeping sea turtles safe?
A: Go Slow for those below! During summertime, everyone is outside enjoying the beautiful weather. If you are out on the water, wear your polarized sunglasses and be alert to what is around or below you. If you are enjoying a day on the beach, cover any holes you may dig so a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings doesn’t get stuck in it at nighttime. If you are fishing, make sure to discard of any monofilament fishing line properly. Sea turtles can easily get entangled in fishing line which can cause flipper amputations or even death.
Q: Are there any misconceptions out there or things you don’t think are communicated enough when it comes to sea turtles?
A: Fun fact: Sea turtles cannot hide in their shell like a tortoise for protection. A sea turtle has to use its strong powerful jaws and its carapace (top of shell) like a shield to fend off predators!
Q: What has been your best memory or experience on the job?
A: There have been so many. It’s hard to choose. I am extremely lucky to be able to work hands on with these beautiful creatures. I think my favorite is when I bring a permitted rehabilitation facility a sick or injured sea turtle and then months later, I get to release it back into the ocean. I get to work with some amazing biologist and sea turtle rehabilitation facilities. I don’t know how I got so lucky!
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to work in sea turtle conservation/research/etc.?
A: Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! That’s how I got started and that can lead to amazing things and open doors!
Q: What is your favorite sea turtle species and why?
A: My favorites species….all of them! That’s like picking your favorite child! I can’t do it!
Q: What do you think sea turtles would tell humans if they could talk?
A: Slow down… It’s not about the destination, its about the journey along the way!
All work is conducted under FWC marine turtle permitted guidelines. FWC operates under the authority and limitations of Florida State Statute 379.2431 (1) and Florida Administrative Code Rule 68E-1.
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