You can help protect Florida's endangered and threatened marine turtles by making a donation to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Your donation will help fund research at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and conservation efforts by the Imperiled Species Management Section. With each donation of five dollars or more, you will receive your choice of one of the waterproof decals featured. Current year marine turtle decals are available at Florida County Tax Offices.
FWC has a limited supply of some of the earlier decals. We would like to offer them to individuals who are interested in collecting them. Please indicate the decals you would like to obtain by checking the appropriate area on the order form and sending a check for the number of decals selected. The decals will be sent to you within 4-6 weeks.
The hawksbill sea turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) occurs in Florida primarily on coral reefs and in other hard-bottom communities along the southeastern coast, in the Florida Keys and along the central Gulf coast. Most are young animals, with reports of a few adults and an occasional nest along the southeastern coast and in the Florida Keys. Globally, the hawksbill is considered a critically endangered species. The decline of hawksbills is primarily attributed to centuries of exploitation for tortoiseshell, the beautifully patterned scales that cover the turtle's shell. Other threats include habitat loss or degradation (especially reefs), entanglement in marine debris, fouling by oil, boat-related injuries and disease.
Hawksbill sea turtle photograph by Jim Abernathy.
Previous Years Decals
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