Ware Marine Research and Conservation

FGCU Sea Turtle Recreational Bycatch Internship at the Venice Fishing Pier

Position Brief:

  • Conduct social surveys from 1 May through 30 September. Interns are expected to work the full season. There are not separate “Summer” and “Fall” sessions.
  • At least two (2) interns, with the potential for more depending on student availability. The pier must be covered at least three (3) days per week throughout the full season, barring dangerous field conditions.
  • Compensated at $20 per hour
  • Shifts are two (2) interns per day conducting surveys from 8:00AM – 10:00AM, 1:00PM – 3:00PM, and 5:00PM – 7:00PM. You are paid for these survey blocks plus data QA/QC.
    • Lead students can expect three (3) shifts per week across the full season, with a maximum of 24 hours per week. Students who can commit less time (8 – 16 hours per week) are still encouraged to apply.
  • Opportunities to conduct additional research and other activities relevant to the position, the pier, and FWC priorities as time allows
    • Eligible for enrollment in BSC/EVR/ISC 4910C Senior Research, BSC/EVR/ISC 4940 Internship, or other comparable FGCU curriculum requirements

FAQs:

  1. This project runs the full Summer and into the Fall semesters. What about my classes?
    • Schedules will be arranged to accommodate the students’ various class schedules while still providing necessary coverage to the pier. Please pay close attention to the above time commitments and make a reasonable judgment call as to whether or not you can commit to these expectations given your particular class-, work-, and/or personal schedule.
    • Each survey block requires at least two (2) students. The individuals comprising these teams can vary by survey block or day to accommodate scheduling needs.
  2. Venice is a long way from FGCU. Is housing provided close to the pier?
    • No, you will commute from home or campus. Unfortunately, personal transportation mileage or time cannot be compensated.
  3. Can these surveys be conducted at any time during the day?
    • For consistency across the seven piers, survey times are fixed. Morning surveys are 8:00AM – 10:00AM, Afternoon surveys are 1:00PM – 3:00PM, and Evening surveys are 5:00PM – 7:00PM.

To apply:

If you are a current FGCU student (undergraduate or graduate), or just graduated from FGCU, and are interested in applying, please read the details below and use the link at the bottom of this page. Those without an FGCU affiliation are not eligible for this internship.

For a complete application, you will need:

  • The completed Qualtrics form
  • One (1) letter of recommendation in PDF form

For any questions or issues about this internship or the application, please email Dr. Ware (mware@fgcu.edu) with the subject line “FGCU Sea Turtle Recreational Bycatch Surveys”.

Applications are due no later than 11:59pm Friday, 6 February 2026.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials well in advance of this deadline.

Full Description:

Florida Gulf Coast University has partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to monitor sea turtle bycatch in recreational fisheries at the Venice Fishing Pier from 1 May through 30 September each year. FGCU hires at least two (2) interns to conduct social surveys of recreational anglers and visual surveys for sea turtle occupancy around the pier for the full nesting season following protocols established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (see “Additional Information and Training” below). Interns are compensated at $20 per hour for up to 24 hours per week.

Surveys are conducted three (3) days per week with three (3) separate survey blocks conducted each day – once in the morning (8:00AM – 10:00AM), once in the afternoon (1:00PM – 3:00PM), and once in the evening (5:00PM – 7:00PM). Each survey block must have atleast two (2) students, though the composition of these teams can change between surveys or days to accommodate student schedules, so long as the pier remains fully covered.

Expectations

  • At the Venice Fishing Pier, collect, organize, and manage sea turtle abundance and associated environmental data, including data entry and verification.
  • Conduct face-to-face interviews with recreational anglers regarding fishing practices and sea turtle interactions.
  • Conduct and interpret data analyses.
  • Maintain accurate records of monitoring activities and findings.
  • Document stranding events through means of photography, handling of turtles, and completing proper forms. Relevant personnel shall be contacted immediately for any live or dead sea turtle stranding events that might be encountered during the survey. 
  • Maintain all equipment in good working order, including prompt notification of supervisory personnel of any equipment issues, damage, or loss
  • Demonstrate proper conduct with coworkers, park staff, and members of the public. Educate members of the public on topics relating to this position, sea turtle biology, and other appropriate topics while demonstrating efficient time management and courteous behavior.
  • Adhere to applicable FGCU, state, and/or federal protocols and ethical guidelines throughout all stages of the monitoring process. If student contractors fail to complete tasks to an appropriate standard, falsify data or documentation, demonstrate poor time management when performing duties, neglect equipment management, exhibit unprofessional behavior towards any parties, or repeatedly fail to complete tasks outlined, the Project Manager will address each outstanding item with the student in accordance with FGCU disciplinary protocols.

Additional Tasks as Time Allows

  • Upon receiving authorization from the relevant entities, students may participate in supervised FWC-permitted research activities related to their duties. Such research is not required as part of this position; is not guaranteed by FWC or FGCU; and must be coordinated with Dr. Ware and other relevant entities with respect to permitting, logistics, and FGCU course credit.

Additional Information and Training

All qualified persons conducting sea turtle surveys will need to complete the FWC training workshops listed below as well as in-house training provided by FGCU. All qualified persons will be listed on the relevant Marine Turtle Permit in accordance with F.A.C Rule 68E-1. Equipment used for the surveys will be provided by FWC and/or FGCU. Personal transportation to/from the pier will be provided by the individual student. In situations involving inclement weather, transportation to/from the pier may be delayed or canceled at the discretion of the surveyors in coordination with Dr. Ware. If driving a University vehicle, students will need to complete relevant FGCU and FDOT training prior to the operation of such vehicles.

There is a REQUIRED training workshops to be completed by personnel associated with this project. It is highly advisable that students register and attend these workshops prior to applying due to the limited training dates. Note however that completion of these trainings does not guarantee an offer of employment, nor does it authorize an individual to complete the associated activities without a permit.

REQUIRED FWC STSSN Workshop (all times EST):

Specific dates are still to-be-announced by FWC but generally are 9:00AM – 11:00AM on a Friday or Saturday in mid- to late February through March.

Please wait until dates are posted to register by emailing the requested information below to Corey Lloyd (Corey.Lloyd@MyFWC.com). They will respond to your email registration request approximately one week prior to your requested workshop date with your confirmation/invite and instructions on how to join the meeting.

When you email Corey to reserve your spot, please include the following information:

First/Last name:
Affiliation: FGCU
Date of training you would like to attend:
Permit number: *Read Note Below*
Phone number:

Note: If registering for training prior to formally accepting the position, please list the permit holder as “FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY”. If you register for training after formally accepting the position, you will receive an email with alternate instructions on how to register. Please note that if you are not selected for this position, you will not be permitted to conduct STSSN activities despite participating in the workshop.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applications are due no later than 11:59pm Friday, 6 February 2026.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials well in advance of this deadline.

To apply for this position, you will need to complete a Qualtrics form and upload one (1) letter of recommendation on its final page. The Qualtrics form includes several fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions, followed by multiple short answer questions. These include:

  • In a few sentences, what caught your attention about this opportunity?
  • In a few sentences, what general knowledge or specific skills do you hope to learn from this program?
  • In 1-2 paragraphs, how do you anticipate this experience to help you toward your overall academic objectives and future career goals?
  • In a few sentences to a paragraph, what specific prior classwork, fieldwork, experience, and/or interest makes you the best candidate for this project?

The Qualtrics form can be accessed at https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_87m6NIYnxYr5y9o.

For any questions or issues about this internship or the application, please email Dr. Ware (mware@fgcu.edu) with the subject line “FGCU Sea Turtle Recreational Bycatch Surveys”.