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Page 6 Attachment B: Supporting Research November 24, 2020 Update 2 — Research Review Phase of IRL Plan Like other large fauna of the Lagoon, factors related to disease, boat activity, human development, and natural phenomenon contribute to the stranding of sea turtles in the area. Stranding data collected from FWC and the County show an increasing trend in the number of reported inshore strandings. Whether this increasing trend is from an increase in public education and awareness on the procedures of reporting a stranded turtle or from an actual increase in the number of stranded turtles each year has not been determined. It is also important to note that there is often a bias in the locations of the reported strandings as they are often reported in areas more heavily used by the public. Whether this correlates to the areas being more prone to strandings because of human influences, such as boat strikes, because they are more popularly visited areas, or because the public uses these areas more, so a stranded turtle is more likely to be found and reported is inconclusive. The County does play an interactive part in FWC's stranding network. The recovery of a stranded turtle does require authorization under a FWC permit, which the County actively keeps up each year. The County also has a Habitat Conservation Plan for the protection of sea turtles; however, this plan relates to sea turtles found on beaches, and does not directly address sea turtle populations and statistics from the Lagoon. The County should continue to use education and awareness measures to educate the public on the implications of their actions on sea turtle populations within the Lagoon and the importance of using smart boating techniques when enjoying the Lagoon. The County should also continue to collect stranding data on inshore turtles to understand how trends develop over time and continue to educate the public on the proper protocols to take when a stranded turtle is observed. The Lagoon is home to not only marine turtles, but also other aquatic turtles. Diamondback terrapins are one of the important species of aquatic turtle that utilizes the Lagoon. Diamondback terrapins are indicator species in that they are sensitive to habitat loss and utilize many critical habitats throughout the Lagoon, so when populations decline, this serves as an indicator of declining conditions. Some of the major threats to this species are boat propellers and crab traps. IRLAP surveys terrapin populations, threats, and conservation efforts to understand what these organisms can tell us about the Lagoon. Scientists are unsure how many terrapins remain in the wild, but with ongoing surveys from various organizations, it is hoped that we will soon better understand current populations and status. 2. Harmful Algal Blooms The Indian River Lagoon is home to a wide variety of algal communities that exist relatively unnoticed under healthy conditions. Once the Lagoon becomes imbalanced due to inflow of freshwater, nutrient inputs, etc., an imbalance can occur causing certain algal species to grow unchecked. These stressors from the environment and excessive growth of algal communities can potentially release toxins into the waters that may be detrimental to the health of the Lagoon. Some of these stressors stem from increasing nutrients in the water such as nitrogen and phosphorus, changing land use practices, development, and issues related to climate change. Not only do these blooms have the potential to harm communities within the Lagoon's ecosystem, the toxins they can produce also has negative impacts on human health and the economy because of impacts to recreational fishing and tourism. Harmful algal blooms are temporary events, and can occur in saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water bodies. 107