Sea Turtle Weekly Activity

Dead Sea Turtle on Marco’s South Beach - On Thursday, May 5th Lt. Matthew Gallup, Marco Island Police Department (MIPD) Patrol Commander was on the scene at the beach and reported the following:

“The Collier County turtle specialists did a detailed physical inspection of the turtle including measurements etc. and have determined that the turtle had been struck by a vessel and bitten by a shark as the cause of death.”

They also determined that the sea turtle had passed before MIPD officers removed the turtle from the water because there was no blood emitting from the turtle when it was on the shore.

“The scene was distressing due to the turtle floating on top of the water but it was lifeless upon our officers removing it from the Gulf,” said Gallup. “Euthanizing any Sea Turtle is completely unauthorized by any agency due to the Federal Protection it possesses as an endangered species. So that is not ever an option for our agency.”

The Collier County Sea Turtle team confirmed that it was a loggerhead sea turtle.

If you encounter a sick, injured, deceased, or harassed Sea Turtle, or to report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest, Call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) - cell phone *FWC or #FWC.

According to FWC - please be prepared to answer the following questions:

1. What is the exact location of the animal?
2. Is the turtle alive or dead?
3. What is the approximate size of the turtle?
4. Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (This may indicate that the turtle has been previously documented.)
5. What is the location of the closest access point to the turtle and, if the turtle is alive, please be prepared to stay with it until help arrives.

According to the FWC website, here are suggested ways to protect sea turtle while boating:

Use caution, stay alert and avoid sea turtles. A great way to avoid sea turtles is by wearing protective eyewear that uses polarized lenses. Be aware that sea turtles often congregate along the reefs and adjacent to the beach during the nesting season. Propeller and collision impacts can result in serious injury and death.