Sea Turtles Come in from the Cold

The recent cold weather in St. Joseph Bay increased the risk of sea turtles becoming cold stunned or temporarily paralyzed. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas partnered with Gulf World Marine Park of Panama City, other agencies and organizations as well as individual citizen volunteers to rescue stranded sea turtles.

The waters of St. Joseph Bay provide optimal foraging grounds for several species of sea turtles including juvenile Atlantic green turtles. Like other reptiles, sea turtles respond to seasonal changes in temperatures by hibernating or migrating. However, when temperatures decrease suddenly, the shallow waters of the bay cool too quickly for the turtles to migrate to warmer waters. As a result, they are stunned by the cold.

More about the sea turtle rescue ...

Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas oversees the management of Florida's 41 aquatic preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR), one National Marine Sanctuary and the Coral Reef Conservation Program. These protected areas comprise more than 4 million acres of the most valuable submerged lands and select coastal uplands in Florida.

"Through Florida’s aquatic preserves, research reserves and national marine sanctuary, the state protects more than four million acres of submerged lands. These coastal and aquatic areas preserve wildlife habitats and protect waterways, while inviting residents and visitors to explore Florida’s natural environment."

Secretary Michael W. Sole