New Year wishes from Wyland to Save-A-Turtle!

Our next in-person event will be the Big Pine & Lower Keys Nautical Expo on January 14th and 15th from 8AM - 2PM. This is always a very large event with excellent attendance. Come on out and see us, talk turtles, and have some fun! The event will be located on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at 31020 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key.

If you are looking for somewhere to donate this holiday season, please consider Save-A-Turtle. Your donation is tax deductible and 100% of all donations go directly to our sea turtle conservation efforts, which include, but are not limited to:

• Beach and nest monitoring and surveys
• Data collection of hatchlings for the State of Florida
• Turtle rescue & relocation when needed
• Beach clean-up
• Turtle friendly lighting education for local residents and businesses
• Outreach programs within the community and local schools​

You can find out more about different ways to help HERE.

Photo Credit - Sherri Crilly

While it does not happen frequently in the Florida Keys, cold stunning is possible both here and in other areas of Florida, areas that aren't known for cold temperatures. If you ever find a turtle in distress in Florida, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is currently treating multiple turtles brought down from Massachusetts, and Sea Turtle, Inc in South Padre island worked through the holidays on over 160 cold stunned sea turtles!

Locations where cold-stunning events have repeatedly occurred in recent decades include:

• Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
• Long Island Sound, New York
• Pamlico Sound, North Carolina
• Mosquito Lagoon and surrounding areas of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida
• St. Joseph Bay, Florida
• Bays statewide, Texas (including Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, Upper/Lower Laguna Madre)

You can learn more about cold stunning events at the links below:

https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/cold-stunned-sea-turtles.htm

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/cold-stunning-and-sea-turtles-frequently-asked-questions

Photo Credit - NPS Photo

Large loggerhead female deceased after boat strike. Red arrow indicates start of propeller strike. (picture too graphic to share entire photo)

It's an all too common occurrence when boats and marine animals meet on the water... boat strikes. There have been two that resulted in turtle deaths (that we are aware of) just in the last few days!

One way that you can help protect marine life when you’re out enjoying the waterways is to have a designated marine animal spotter on board whenever possible. Somebody that is looking out constantly for the dolphins, manatees and sea turtles that may be found in our waterways.

Additionally, please make sure you’re following slow speed and no wake signs.

If you happen to encounter an injured marine animal while you’re enjoying your boating time or out on the beach in Florida, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Outreach poster developed by NOAA Fisheries and the Hawai'i Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation

Our next board meeting will be January 9, 2023 at 6:30PM

and it will include 2023 Board elections.

Save-A-Turtle Board Meeting

Monday, January 9th

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 423 427 8754

Passcode: 210787

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,4234278754#,,,,*210787# US

+13092053325,,4234278754#,,,,*210787# US

Below are the elected members of the 2022 Save-A-Turtle Board.

President: Harry Appel

Vice President: OPEN

Treasurer: Vivian Beck

Secretary: Kelley Porter

Board Member: Heather Skelley

Board Member: Jennifer DeMaria

Board Member: Jill Reilley

Board Member: Randy Beck

Board Member: Sara Casey

Alt Board Member: Dawn Bowles

Technical Advisor: Sue Schaf