Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to an action-packed summer in the seashore. We have a Jr. Angler program for kids ages 8-15 that is being taught by four great college interns. We’ll also have a Public Lands Crew in the seashore this year; this is a way for youths 18-35 to try out a job in conservation fields for the National Park Service. All of these internships are paid and are great resume builders for getting into our field.
Also, Friends of Canaveral kick off their great fundraising program Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest, a great way to contribute, and a lot of fun gifts and information come with this adoption.
Remember June 1st is the first day of Hurricane Season; make sure all of your plans are in place to have a safe and happy summer.
Friends, thanks for all that you do. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
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See you at the beach!
Laura Henning
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2021 Sea Turtle Nest Counts
• Loggerhead (Caretta caretta):
Apollo ( 221 ) .......... Playalinda ( 293 )
• Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas):
Apollo ( 0 ) .......... Playalinda ( 0 )
• Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea):
Apollo ( 6 ) .......... Playalinda ( 10 )
• Kemps Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii): unconfirmed until genetics
Apollo ( 2 ) .......... Playalinda ( 0 )
Total Sea Turtle Nest Counts: 532
Total Wilson Plover Shorebird Beach Nest Counts:
- Playalinda = 13 (10 chicks)
- Apollo = 29
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ADOPT A NEST BEGINS JUNE 1, 2021 |
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ADOPT A SEA TURTLE NEST is an opportunity for visitors, friends, and nature lovers to participate in and contribute to sea turtle conservation. Your donation of $40 supports the protection efforts of these threatened and endangered species.
SEA TURTLE NESTS will be available for adoption beginning June 1. All adoptable sea turtle nests will be located within the 24 miles of undeveloped coastline within the boundaries of the Canaveral National Shore.
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MAIL-IN FORM: Fill out the form and return it with our $40 donation to Friends of Canaveral, PO Box 1526, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170 (Payable to Friends of Canaveral, Inc.
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ONLINE: Fill out the online form and submit it with your $40 donation per credit card.
ONCE WE RECEIVE YOUR ADOPT A SEA TURTLE NEST INFO you will be:
- Assigned a sea turtle nest with an ID number.
- Receive a digital photo of your nest ID stake with your selected name, photo, and information regarding species.
- Receive a custom-designed sea life print buff, a Friends of Canaveral sticker, and a sea turtle ID postcard.
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TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS, 2021 |
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All Turtle Watch Programs will be held in the Playalinda District
We are now taking telephone reservations for this year's summer Turtle Watch programs. The number to call is (386) 428-3384 ext. 0.
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Summer Jr. Angler Surf Fishing Clinics |
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Summer Jr. Angler Surf Fishing Clinics
Canaveral National Seashore - Apollo Beach
Summer programs are back! Canaveral National Seashore will host an amazing, free summer Jr. Angler program through June and July. This is an opportunity for youths age 8-15 to learn the art and skill of surf fishing. “How do I cast?” “What do I use for bait?” “Where should I start?” All those questions and more will be answered.
Youths will learn about knot tying, appropriate tackle, healthy fish habitats, and gain valuable hands-on experience from a team of local college-age environmental students who are committed to sharing their skills in a fun, outdoor atmosphere. All gear will be provided. Surf fishing clinics will be scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays through the months of June and July, from 10:00AM-noon.
Reservations are required, and parents/guardians must remain on the beach for the duration of the program. This program is free; however, all participants are responsible for bringing their own sun protection, hats, sunglasses, snacks, and beverages. Reservations will open June 1. For more information or to make reservations, please call the Apollo Beach Visitor Center at 386-428-3384 ext 0.
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THREATS TO SEA TURTLES
ByCatch
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Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught in shrimp trawl nets, on longline hooks, and in fishing gill nets every year. They become fisheries' bycatch—animals accidentally caught in nets intended for other species.
Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe and therefore many drown once caught. Incidental capture by fishing gear is the greatest threat to most sea turtles, especially endangered loggerheads, greens, and leatherbacks. This threat is increasing as fishing activity expands.
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FUNDAMENTAL LINK IN MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Sea turtles are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. They help maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs that benefit commercially valuable species such as shrimp, lobster, and tuna. Sea turtles are the live representatives of a group of reptiles that have existed on Earth and traveled our seas for the last 100 million years. Turtles have major cultural significance and tourism value. Five of the seven species are found around the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical waters. The remaining two species, though, have relatively restricted ranges: Kemp's ridley is found mainly in the Gulf of Mexico and the flatback turtle around northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea.
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DID YOU KNOW?
About the Eastern Indigo Snake?
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Conservation status: Threatened
Let’s just get this out of the way – no, they are not venomous. Eastern Indigo Snakes rarely bite humans. But they do bite prey, enemies, and occasionally males will fight each other in aggressive situations. The indigo snake is considered harmless but is a protected species you can not handle without a permit.
The eastern indigo snake overpowers its often larger prey with muscular jaws, consuming them headfirst.
- The indigo snake has a diet of lizards, tortoises, mammals, frogs, birds, and other venomous snakes. It has been observed that the Indigo snake appears to be immune to the poison of venomous snakes.
The Eastern Indigo Snake Is the Longest Snake in North America:
- Identified by its beautiful blue-black sheen, this species is now native to peninsular Florida and southeast Georgia. The females can reach up to 6.5 ft long and males up to 8.5 ft. While their size can be impressive, they are most often between 5-6 ft. long.
Threats:
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Threats to the snake included loss of habitat, which continues today, and over-collection for the pet trade. Vehicle strikes on the roadway are also a danger.
If you’re lucky enough to see an Eastern indigo, take a moment to appreciate its usefulness and let it be. It may give you a fright, but it is not aggressive and quite harmless. It is an important and beneficial segment of Florida’s wildlife.
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REPORT VIOLATIONS
If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating, or environmental law violation, report it to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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Use Amazon Smile for all your purchases to support the Friends of Canaveral. |
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