FWC rescuing oil-impacted sea turtles with help from Gulf fishermen
Friday, August 06, 2010
Media contact: Carli Segelson, 727-896-8626, ext. 2076
Although the effects of the oil spill are
decreasing in Florida, the threat to wildlife remains. Biologists
and commercial charter boat fishermen are teaming up to help
oil-impacted sea turtles in the waters of the northern Gulf of
In a cooperative effort with Deepwater Horizon
Unified Command and partner agencies, Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists rescue sea turtles while
gathering data to assess the effects of the oil spill on sea turtle
Weather permitting, two rescue boats depart from
Destin each day and head toward the eastern zone of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill area.
FWC biologists are working with captains taking
part in the Vessels of Opportunity program. Together, captains,
biologists and crews have made several trips into Gulf offshore
waters to rescue sea turtles and scientifically documented where
turtles are found.
Because of their experience getting close to large
fish on their lines, these captains already possessed skills that
help them maneuver their boats so that biologists can capture the
sea turtles with hand-held nets.
Biologists use GPS to record where sea turtles are
located, as well as to collect data on environmental conditions at
the capture location.
"The methods we are using to find oiled sea turtles
will help us understand how many affected sea turtles we are not
seeing," said FWC sea turtle biologist Blair Witherington. "This
will give us a better understanding of the total number of turtles
exposed to oil. The science is essential to assessing effects from
the spill, but this does not overshadow our most important mission,
which is to rescue as many oil-impacted sea turtles as we can."
Rescuers take any oil-impacted sea turtles found
off the coast of Northwest Florida to Gulf World in Panama City for
Rescue efforts in Florida waters are a continuation of work
started by the partnership in May offshore of Louisiana. Recently,
efforts expanded to Orange Beach, Ala. as well. While conducting
work in these three locations, FWC biologists helped rescue nearly
200 oiled sea turtles.
Partner agencies working with the FWC to conduct
rescues include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the non-profit
Inwater Research Group, based in Jensen Beach.
As part of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
response, the Vessels of Opportunity program provides local boat
operators an opportunity to assist with response activities.
To report sightings of oiled and distressed
wildlife in Northwest Florida from Jefferson County through
Escambia County, call 866-557-1401. For all other areas of Florida
contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). For
more information on sea turtle conservation, visit