1200 Sea Turtles Rescued

[jsuber]

I was getting my vehicle servced this moring and ran into the FWC getting his truck serviced. He said that he had been rescueing turtles out of Cape San Blas and sending them to Panama City. I found this story online about it.

http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/81322762.html

For six consecutive days workers and volunteers have been rescuing freeze stunned sea turtles from freezing waters off Cape San Blas in St. Joseph’s Bay and bringing them to Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach. Tuesday, 31 of those turtles went home.

Gulf World personnel, along with NOAA and the United States Coast Guard released 31-healthy sea turtles were released into the gulf several miles from shore. The release happened about 10-miles off the Panama City Beach coastline.

Marine experts say the water temperature there is above 55 degrees, so the turtles can survive.

This was sort of a dry-run for the Gulf World staff and the crew of the Coast Guard cutter "Coho". They wanted to see if the turtles could be successfully released using this ship. The operation was crucial to determine if they could use this method to release more of the animals.

Morgan McCallen, Gulf World Trainer, says the successful release of the rehabilitated turtles is critical.

“All of them are endangered species, so it is very important to keep them breeding and making more of their numbers so we can hopefully have them around for a long period of time. "

Tuesday's release was a success, so the group is planning two more Wednesday.

Though some of the Gree, Kemps Ridley and Loggerheads are starting to return to their native habitat, another 200-sea turtles were rescued Tuesday, bringing to over 1200 the number of rescued turtles from St. Joseph’s Bay where they had sought shelter from 10 days of below freezing temperatures.

It could be several weeks before all of the turtles can be released back into the gulf.

[Jhults11]

I work for FWC freshwater research in Quincy, FL and were told to go to PSJ bay to help with the turtle rescue. It was quite a sight to see all of the volunteers and different organizations (FWC, USFWS, FDEP, and NOAA Fisheries) working hard and dilligently to save as many turltes as we could. My crew between two trucks, 2 covered trailers and a u-haul trailer was able to rescue and transport 120 green and loggerhead sea turtles to gulf aquarium last Wednesday. I got quite a few pictures so I thought I would share a few.

[Jumptrout51]

[Harmsway]

Attaboy, Jhults11!

[DukesFin]

Let's hope those are "once in a lifetime" pictures! AWESOME!!!!!!!

[sanblaslayer]

that is insane, good job

[What a mess]

pretty cool love to see my tax dollars at work.

[big bend gyrene]

Jhults11, many thanks for the work!

[SHOWBOAT]

nice work. PSJ always has a lot of sea turtles. Glad you were able to help them.

[skyway ande]

beautiful work!....
enjoyed your photos!!

[dewyafish]

When will the soup be done???

Just Kidding!!! Great work!!

[Sir reel]

There were a couple of "big boys" in the group weren't there Great job. I love seeing turtles when I'm on the flats. Always consider em good luck. Thanks for your work.