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Tag: Sea Turtle Conservancy

Loggerheads released after recovering from red tide

Loggerheads released after recovering from red tide

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA – In a cooperative effort between Mote Marine Laboratory and The Florida Aquarium, two loggerhead sea turtles were released at Bayfront Park on May 30 after months of care and rehabilitation for the effects of red tide toxin.

“We are proud to collaborate with The Florida Aquarium in our shared mission to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles,” Mote’s Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator Lynne Byrd said in a press release. “By combining our expertise and resources, we can provide these magnificent creatures with the best possible care, ensuring their recovery and return to the big blue.”

The two rescued loggerhead sea turtles were nicknamed Valerie and Mahomes. Valerie was discovered floating nearshore off Longboat Key on Feb. 21. She appeared to have been affected by toxins from red tide, a waterborne algae that also can affect human respiration. She was transported to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital in Sarasota and began receiving injectable antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids until symptoms improved.

When Valerie arrived at the hospital, Mote scientists found that she already had a flipper tag and a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag. The PIT tag, placed by Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program in 2019, gave the turtle a unique barcode identification number that allowed scientists to gain valuable insights into her migratory patterns, growth rates, survival and reproductive output, according to Mote.
Mahomes was found washed ashore off Casey Key Road in Sarasota County and also showed symptoms of red tide toxicity.

Initially admitted to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital on Feb. 13, Mahomes was later transferred to The Florida Aquarium Turtle Rehabilitation Center on Feb. 24 to better prepare Mote for what they anticipated to be high numbers of incoming sea turtle patients affected by toxic red tide exposure.

Mahomes received antibiotics and supportive care during the course of rehabilitation to help rid the sea turtle’s body of toxins.

Before the release, Mahomes was outfitted with a satellite tag by The Florida Aquarium and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

“These tags provide critically important information about diving, feeding, migratory and activity patterns all while recording corresponding environmental data such as water temperatures. This data will help better understand the patient’s behavior after reintroduction and provides key insight for future rehabilitation and conservation efforts,” according to Mote.

Following their months of care, the loggerheads successfully cleared all health assessments mandated by wildlife officials for release.
“Every turtle matters, as they serve as ambassadors for the critical need to protect and conserve these creatures and the habitats they rely on,” Byrd said in the release. “Every rehabilitated sea turtle is a symbol of hope for the future of our oceans.”

Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale, please call Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 941-988-0212.

If you see a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Sea turtle nests are hatching

Sea turtle nests are hatching

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Plenty of little flipper tracks are on the beach and lots more are on the way as the first loggerhead sea turtle nests of the season begin to hatch.

At least 21 nests have hatched this month, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring (AMITW) volunteers.

“After a nest hatches, we must wait for three days and then we excavate to collect data, which is sent to FWC (the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission),” AMITW’s Barbara Riskay said. “The first nest excavated on July 10 resulted in 74 hatched eggs.”

As of July 16, 10 nests have been excavated, showing that 809 hatchlings have made it to the Gulf of Mexico, she said. While this is a substantial number, it is necessary for female turtles to lay plenty of eggs because only about one in 1,000 turtle hatchlings will make it to adulthood. 

While more than 1,050 nests have been laid on the Island so far this season, turtle season continues until Oct. 31, so there will be thousands more hatchlings to come.

The most common turtle to nest on the Island is the loggerhead. Named for its massive, block-like head, the loggerhead is Florida’s most common sea turtle. Adults weigh 275 pounds on average with a shell about a yard long. The shell, ruddy brown on top and creamy yellow underneath, is very broad near the head and tapers toward the tail. Each of the turtle’s flippers has two claws.

According to the FWC, the main threat that loggerhead turtles face is accidental capture in shrimp and fishing nets such as longlines, which can entangle or snag sea turtles, and finfish trawls, beach seines, drift and gill nets. When captured in these nets, the turtles cannot escape and eventually drown.

The development of nesting beaches is also a threat to sea turtles, as their nests can be destroyed, and available nesting sites are limited. Beach armoring, such as building seawalls, is a threat, as the structures prevent the natural maintenance of beaches and sand dunes.

Coastal development also increases artificial lighting which can be detrimental to hatchlings, causing them to migrate toward the artificial light instead of the natural light they use to find the ocean.

Increased predation on nests from raccoons is also a significant threat to nesting sea turtles.

Other threats include exploitation for meat and eggs in some countries, habitat degradation from contaminants and pollutants and boat strikes.

Sea turtle tagged at Coquina Beach

Sea turtle tagged at Coquina Beach

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

A crowd gathered on south Coquina Beach Monday morning to cheer on Esther the loggerhead sea turtle as she made her way back to the Gulf of Mexico after being tagged with a satellite transmitter by volunteers from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

The tagging helps the organizations gather valuable data about sea turtle migration habits. The oldest sea turtle conservation organization in the world, the Sea Turtle Conservancy has tagged hundreds of turtles. According to the organization, being tagged and sur- rounded by people for a few minutes has no negative impact on their health.

Sea turtle tagged at Coquina Beach
Esther swims into the Gulf of Mexico after being tagged. – Submitted

The Sun will share weekly updates on Esther’s whereabouts and whether she returns to AMI to nest. For more information on sea turtle conservation, visit Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Sea Turtle Conservancy online.

Turtle trackers predict Bortie’s return

Turtle trackers predict Bortie’s return

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Just in time for the May 1 start of sea turtle nesting season off AMI, Bortie may be coming home to nest.

The female loggerhead sea turtle was satellite-tagged and released from Coquina Beach in June 2018 after she nested; her nest successfully hatched two months later.

Turtle trackers predict Bortie’s return
Bortie was satellite-tagged and released from Coquina Beach in June 2018 and may be headed back this way to nest. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Bortie competed in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles, placing 10th out of 13 contestants at the end of the race on Oct. 31, the last day of the 2018 turtle nesting season.

She traveled 351 miles during the race, lingering off Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys, while the winner, Bion, was busy swimming 1,674 miles from Cocoa Beach up to north Florida, then down to the Bahamas. Since her release three years ago, Bortie has logged 3,836 miles, according to the Conservancy.

The annual event is part of the Conservancy’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Bortie was named for Bortell’s, an Anna Maria restaurant and bar under renovation, and one of her several sponsors.

Another sponsor was Anna Maria Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, and Director Suzi Fox was happy to hear the news.

Turtle Tips

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips:

– Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

– Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

– Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and can disorient hatchlings.

– Fill in the holes you dig in the sand and level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can obstruct or trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

– Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

– Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

– Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

 

“These tags are important. I know they’re expensive, but the information that you get from them is priceless,” she said.

“I’m a little nervous because of the Piney Point discharge,” Fox said, referring to the 215 million gallon emergency discharge of wastewater from one of the closed phosphate plant’s gyp stacks this month. “I hope she stays south of that. These poor nesting mothers have enough to worry about.”

Gearing up for turtle season

Local boat captains are reporting loggerhead sightings off the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, a sure sign nesting season is about to commence, Fox said.

“They’re out there,” she said. “They’re probably waiting for the sand to get a little bit warmer.”

Last year was a good turtle nesting year on Anna Maria Island, with 349 nests laid (the record is 544 in 2019) and 20,237 hatchlings hatched (the record is 35,788 in 2018).

The coronavirus pandemic has curtailed the triple-digit Turtle Watch volunteer ranks down to 16 people, who now monitor beaches on ATVs instead of on foot to promote social distancing, she said, adding that Turtle Talks and public nest excavations will be canceled again this season due to COVID-19.

“We’re waiting until next year when more people are vaccinated,” she said.

Masks with a turtle design are available at Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and will be included in gift packages for people participating in the organization’s Adopt-a-Nest program. Visit Turtle Watch for more information.

Where's Bortie Too

Where’s Bortie Too? In first place!

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Sports.

SOMEWHERE NEAR THE EVERGLADES – Bortie Too has caught her second wind, rocketing into first place from 10th place over the past week in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 12th Annual Tour de Turtles.

After a fast sprint to Key West from west Florida’s Gulf waters, she focused on the mantra “Just keep swimming” and headed straight for the Bahamas, then changed course back towards Key West, racking up 447 miles since the race began on Aug. 1.

Bortie Too nested twice on AMI this year; she was tagged and released after nesting on Coquina Beach on June 21, then nested a second time on the Island before beginning the race.

The loggerhead sea turtle is participating in the race to raise awareness of light pollution, which can disorient nesting and hatching turtles, a problem on Anna Maria Island.

The annual event is part of the Conservancy’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate. The group uses satellite telemetry to track turtles released from beaches in Florida, Costa Rica, Panama and Nevis.

Bortie Too is sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Where’s Bortie Too?

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie Too has traveled 103 miles since being tagged and released after nesting on Coquina Beach on June 21. She may be coming back to land to nest again, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.Where's Bortie Too

She will compete in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 12th Annual Tour de Turtles beginning Aug. 1. The annual event is part of the Conservancy’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate. The group uses satellite telemetry to track turtles released from beaches in Florida, Costa Rica, Panama and Nevis.

Bortie Too is sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Bortie Too tagged, released

Tagged sea turtle off to races

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

BRADENTON BEACH – Following in the flipper tracks of predecessors Bortie I, Eliza Ann and Amie, a female loggerhead sea turtle named “Bortie Too” was satellite tagged on Coquina Beach after nesting this morning and set free to “race” in the Tour de Turtles marathon.

Bortie Too tagged, released
Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie Too was satellite tagged and released this morning at Coquina Beach. – Cindy Lane | Sun

The project is a partnership of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, and sponsors Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Bortie Too will compete in the Conservancy’s 12th Annual Tour de Turtles race beginning on Aug. 1. The three-month event is part of an ongoing research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate. The Conservancy uses satellite telemetry to track turtles released from beaches in Florida, Costa Rica, Panama and Nevis.

Where's Bortie II?
Where’s Bortie Too? Right about here. – Sea Turtle Conservancy | Submitted

The loggerhead – or other turtle species – that logs the most underwater miles wins the marathon.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=170Y_c0o5Qc[/embedyt]

Amie, named for Anna Maria Island and sponsor Anna Maria Elementary School, finished the 2015 race in last place, in true turtle style; 84 loggerheads hatched out of her nest while she was in the race.

Bortie Too tagged, released
Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie Too nested this morning on Coquina Beach, was satellite tagged, and released. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Eliza Ann, named for sponsor Waterline Marina Resort’s restaurant, made the Island proud, taking first place in the 2017 race, and nesting twice on the Island.

Bortie I came in 10th place out of 13 contestants in 2018, traveling 351 miles, lingering for most of the race off Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.

Bortie Too tagged, released
Bortie Too breaks away clean from her temporary holding cage, where she was satellite tagged this morning. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Where’s Bortie?

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie is the winner of the People’s Choice Award in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles race.

She placed 10th out of 13 contestants on Oct. 31, the last day of turtle season.

Bortie traveled 351 miles since the race began on Aug. 1, lingering for most of the race off Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.

Turtle release
Bortie, a loggerhead sea turtle, was detained after nesting on Coquina Beach to be satellite tagged, released and tracked. – Cindy Lane | Sun

The winner, Bion, swam 1,674 miles from Cocoa Beach up to north Florida, then down to the Bahamas, stopping short of Cuba.

The annual event is part of the Conservancy’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Bortie was satellite tagged and released on Coquina Beach on June 19 after nesting. Her nest hatched successfully in August.

Where's Bortie excavation
Bortie’s nest hatched successfully and was excavated by Turtle Watch volunteers Lee Zerkel and Barbra O’ Toole. – Amy L. Waterbury | Submitted

Bortie was sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

She competed to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution to sea turtles.

Related coverage

Turtle Tips

Nesting News

Where's Bortie excavation

Where’s Bortie?

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie has dropped to 11th place in a field of 13 contenders in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles.

Lingering off the Florida Keys, she has traveled 51 miles since the race began on Aug. 1.

The event is part of the organization’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Bortie was satellite tagged and released on Coquina Beach on June 19, and is sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Where’s Bortie?

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtle Bortie is in 7th place in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles, which began on Aug. 1. She swam 12 miles since the race start.

Bortie was satellite tagged and released on Coquina Beach on June 19, and is sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

The event is part of the organization’s ongoing research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Related coverage

Eliza Ann off to the turtle races

Nesting News

Sea turtle tagged, off to races

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

BRADENTON BEACH – Following in the flipper tracks of predecessors Amie and Eliza Ann, a female loggerhead sea turtle named “Bortie” was satellite tagged on Coquina Beach this morning and set free to “race” in the Tour de Turtles marathon.

Turtle release
Bortie, a loggerhead sea turtle, was detained after nesting Monday morning on Coquina Beach to be satellite tagged, released and tracked. – Cindy Lane | Sun

The project is a partnership of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Bortie will compete in the Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles race beginning on Aug. 1. The event is part of an ongoing research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migr

Turtle release
Bortie’s release drew a crowd to Coquina Beach on Tuesday morning. – Sande Caplin & Associates | Submitted

Amie, named for Anna Maria Island and sponsor Anna Maria Elementary School, finished the 2015 race in last place, in true turtle style; 84 little loggerheads hatched out of her nest while she was in the race.

Eliza Ann, named for sponsor Waterline Marina Resort’s restaurant, made the Island proud, taking first place in the 2017 race.

Follow Bortie’s progress beginning Aug. 1 in The Sun.

Sea turtle to be satellite tagged

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

BRADENTON BEACH – Following in the flipper tracks of predecessors Amie and Eliza Ann, a female loggerhead sea turtle that will be named “Bortie” will be satellite tagged on Coquina Beach next Tuesday and set free to “race” in the Tour de Turtles marathon.

The release, scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, is dependent on Sea Turtle Conservancy staff finding and detaining a turtle after she nests the night before.

The project is a partnership of the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she will be named.Turtle Watch logo

Bortie will compete in the Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles race beginning on Aug. 1. The event is part of an ongoing research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Spectators interested in seeing Bortie off to the Gulf of Mexico can look for a cluster of vehicles at the Coquina Beach parking lot; the exact location will not be decided until Tuesday morning.

Amie, named for Anna Maria Island and sponsor Anna Maria Elementary School, finished the 2015 race in last place, in true turtle style; 84 little loggerheads hatched out of her nest while she was in the race.

Eliza Ann, named for sponsor Waterline Marina Resort’s restaurant, made the Island proud, taking first place in the 2017 race.