The challenges facing sea turtles are vast and growing. Climate change, the proliferation of single-use
plastics and the risks from the growing human population have led to a distressing increase in causes of
sea turtle strandings.
This crisis reached a critical point during the 2021 cold snap in Texas, which brought the largest “cold-stunning” event on record. Cold-stunning is a condition in which sea turtles become very weak and inactive from exposure to cold temperatures (generally below 50 degrees Fahrenheit). In this state, turtles become lethargic and eventually are unable to swim causing them to float to the surface, and often be washed ashore. The stark reality is that only 35% of the turtles survived is a call to action for all of us.
Recently, another cold-stunning event occurred in New England and 200 sea turtles were impacted. Fifty-two of them, which happen to be endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, are currently rehabbing at four facilities in Florida after a flight on a private plane from the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts. The turtles arrived in Tampa on Dec. 5, and 16 were sent to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, officials said in a news release. The other turtles were taken to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, The Florida Aquarium in Tampa and Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Jupiter (where Coastal Stewards’ veterinarian Dr. Shelby Loos volunteers her time).
Endangered and threatened sea turtles are currently facing several threats. Cold-stunning is one of them, and many of which are caused or increased by human activities. As a result, dozens of aquariums, zoos and other conservation organizations around the country regularly respond to and care for stranded sea turtles. The need for sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation continues to grow, but there has been little to no federal support directly available to organizations helping the government fulfill its obligation to these protected species.
Until now.
The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act is currently making its way through the United States Congress and
promises to be a beacon of hope. The act proposes the establishment of a grant program at the Department of Commerce, with an annual funding of $5 million from 2023 to 2028. This funding is pivotal for rescue, rehabilitation, recovery and research efforts, ensuring that organizations like Coastal Stewards and Loggerhead Marinelife Center can continue their indispensable work.
The act prioritizes engagement with stakeholder representatives and mandates the development of grant awarding criteria in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It represents a collaborative federal response to an escalating environmental emergency, with a focus on supporting the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.
Specifically, the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act:
- Creates a new grant program at the Department of Commerce to fund rescue, rehabilitation,
recovery and research of sea turtles in the U.S., and authorize $5 million annually from 2023 to
2028 in new funding. - Specifies that the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, develop criteria for awarding grants and provide such criteria for formal public
notice and comment. - Requires that the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, provide opportunities for engagement with representatives from stakeholders. - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to prioritize applicants with an established record of rescuing, rehabilitation, scientific research, and forensic science with respect to stranded marine turtles or conducting scientific research and forensic science on stranded marine turtles.
How can you help?
First, by supporting local environmental organizations such as the Coastal Stewards, which has demonstrated a commitment to marine conservation since the 1970s. Second, you can contact your representative in Congress to express your support for the bipartisan Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act, which unanimously passed a key House committee in October. With many steps to go before it can become law, now is the time to urge your representatives to back this bill. The passage of this law stands to benefit not just sea turtles but our entire local marine ecosystem.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can help secure the populations and species diversity
of sea turtles in U.S. waters.
Visit gumbolimbo.org.
John Holloway is president and CEO of The Coastal Stewards (Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards), which
has steadfastly advocated for the protection, support and study of our coastal and marine ecosystems,
while inspiring positive behavior change within our communities.
