Marco’s Beach has been monitored for sea turtle activities since 1990 to comply with the permit requirements for beach renourishment and raking, according to the Collier County Sea Turtle Protection Program (CCSTPP).
We don’t often hear many incidents of sea turtle stranding and according to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Program (STSSP) operated by CCSTPP, stranded sea turtles are those which wash ashore or are found floating, dead or alive in a weakened condition. In 2023, 51 sea turtles were reported stranded along the Collier County coastline. Reported sea turtle stranding in Collier County occurred from February to December 2023.
The 2023 report “included 40 loggerheads, 8 green sea turtles and one Kemp’s Ridley. Injuries and abnormalities of dead and live sea turtles ranged from boat and/or obvious propeller damage with visible markings or hull paint (11), shark bites (4), fishing line and cast net entanglement (2), red tide (15) and undetermined (17). Four sea turtles were alive at the time of rescue and taken to Mote Marine or Zoo Miami for treatment, most had to be euthanized due to the severity of injuries. The remaining turtle was released 47 days after intake, red tide was suspected to be involved.”
Sea turtle stranding occurred throughout coastal Collier County on beaches including Barefoot (4) Vanderbilt Beach/ Delnor Wiggins (4), Park Shore (6) City of Naples (9), Marco Island (9), and Keewaydin Island (6). Nine (9) were found, floating inshore, in bays or canals and one (1) floating offshore.
Increased public awareness of the reporting requirements may result in better coverage for the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Program. According to the Collier County Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Program, personnel are not in the field daily outside of the nesting season and rely on the FWC and the public for stranding locations. Stranded sea turtles outside the developed beaches may not be found or reported, some are lost at sea, and others buried by persons unfamiliar with the reporting procedures.
The Collier County Parks and Recreation Division responded to 38 of the 49 sea turtle stranding; Rookery Bay NERR responded to two stranding; Delnor Wiggins State Park responded to one stranding, FWC responded to three stranding and four were taken directly to rehab facilities by FWC permitted facility volunteers.
FWC also operates a Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSTN) and they document sick or injured sea turtles. In 2023, a red tide event contributed to 159 stranding; 58 loggerheads; 47 green turtles; 26 Kemp’s Ridleys and one hawksbill.
Though nesting sea turtle season is winding down, you might come across a sick or injured sea turtle or other marine life while out boating or walking the beach.
You Can Help: If you find a sick, injured, stranded, entangled or dead sea turtle or marine animal, please notify the FWC at 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC from your cell phone. Also, please take a photo and note its location.
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