Sea turtles on the Alabama Gulf Coast face a variety of threats, including the development of prime nesting beaches, artificial lighting, commercial fishing gear, boats, debris and erosion. Each May to October, Sea turtles – including loggerhead, green and Kemp’s ridley – make pilgrimages to where they were hatched to lay their own clutch of eggs.

 

Share the Beach, the Alabama Gulf Coast’s sea turtle protection program, administers the Alabama Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Each year, hundreds of volunteers patrol the beach nightly to mark sea turtle nests and ensure the safe passage of hatchlings into the Gulf of Mexico.

 

sea turtles cuteMike Reynolds with Share the Beach says the group operates best when it has about 400 volunteers to cover approximately 47 miles of shoreline along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Last year, there were 121 nests on our part of the coast, with approximately 7,800 hatchlings. Only about 1,000 of those turtles will make it to adulthood, felled by predators on land such as coyotes, foxes, dogs and predatory birds, and in the water by sharks and other large fish.

 

If you see sea turtle tracks or a sea turtle (live or dead) on the beach, call 866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878). Sea turtles seen swimming in shallow waters along the beach or in bays do not need to be reported.

 

Share the Beach offers the following guidelines if you find a dead sea turtle:

  • Note the date and location the carcass was first observed.
  • Note any obvious injuries, e.g., boat propeller wounds or fishing line.
  • Pull the carcass higher on the beach to avoid it washing away.
  • Cover the turtle with a light layer of sand to slow decomposition and damage from seagulls.
  • If you cover the turtle, mark the spot with a stake.

 

turtleFollow these guidelines for an injured-but-alive sea turtle:

  • Provide shade for the turtle if you can (beach umbrella or whatever you can find).
  • Cover the turtle with wet towels, leaving its nose and mouth uncovered.
  • The turtle should not be placed in the water since it may drown; however, splashing seawater on a disoriented turtle will sometimes revive it.
  • Take note of the date and location the injured sea turtle was observed.
  • Note any obvious injuries.