sea turtle – Conservationists say four endangered leatherback turtles were killed by boat strikes as nesting season peaks, urging boaters to slow down and follow a voluntary protection zone through Oct. 31.
South Florida’s sea turtle nesting season is in full swing, but activists and wildlife experts are pushing boaters to change how fast they travel through coastal waters after the deaths of endangered turtles struck by boats.
In recent weeks, four leatherback turtles were killed in the Palm Beach County Intracoastal waterway, according to conservationists.. The leatherback is listed as endangered. and the timing has heightened concern because sea turtles begin arriving in large numbers to nest around the region from March through October.
“The loss of one of those individuals is a really great loss to the species as a whole,” said Dr.. Heather Barron, who warned that boat strikes can inflict severe internal and external injuries.. Barron said impacts can damage a turtle’s brain, spinal cord, limbs, and internal organs.. “But one thing is certain,” she said.. “They’re almost all pretty bad in terms of their impact on the animal.. And the prognosis for the animal is often quite grave.”
During nesting and breeding season, conservationists say the stakes are even higher.. For a vulnerable population, each turtle killed means fewer animals that may return to the same area in future years.. “If many of the sea turtles that would nest in this area are hit by boats and killed. that will be fewer and fewer animals that will ever come back here. ” Barron said.
Andy Dehart. CEO of the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. said the impact is being felt directly in the water during a key period of the turtles’ life cycle.. “We’re critically affecting these species that come here for this valuable time in their life,” Dehart said.. He added that while modern collisions are not intentional harm, the results are still devastating.. “We’re a long way from where we used to be where turtles were caught in by catch and turtles were caught for soup.. This isn’t targeted injuries on turtles.. It’s just an accident.. But what we do hope is that people learn.”
With Memorial Day and the Fourth of July approaching. Dehart emphasized that boaters can play a direct role in preventing further injuries by adjusting speed and visibility.. “It’s very preventable if people just monitor their speed,” he said.. Dehart noted that there is no single set speed limit. but urged vigilance close to shore: “We’re not advocating for a set speed limit. but monitor. go safe in that first mile and a half from shore. put on polarized glasses. and if you can. have a spotter.”
A voluntary sea turtle protection zone remains in place until Oct.. 31, stretching across 45 miles of Palm Beach County waters from shore to one mile out at sea.. Conservation groups say the goal is simple: reduce collisions during a season when roughly 40. 000 sea turtles come to Palm Beach County to nest.
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