Page 10 - Jupiter Spotlight - September '19

Page 10, Jupiter Spotlight
Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Breaks All-Time Sea Turtle Nest Count Record

As of Tuesday, Aug. 6, Loggerhead Marinelife
Center’s (LMC) research biologists recorded an all-time
record-breaking sea turtle nest count of 19,580 nests (and
counting). The center’s last record-breaking nesting season
was recorded in 2017 with a total of 19,085 nests. Sea turtle
nesting season in Palm Beach County runs from March 1
to Oct. 31 annually. Although the center has experienced
record-breaking nesting numbers in previous years, other
years have shown a lower yield. For comparison, the 2018
nesting season resulted in a total of just over 11,900 sea
turtles nests. With three months left of nesting season,
our researchers expect the nesting numbers to continue to
increase by a few more thousand nests. LMC’s research
biologists will continue to mark and monitor sea turtle nests sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important
until the end of nesting season, which ends on Oct. 31. It is illegal to harm or harass sea turtles, their nests or sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center
LMC biologists estimate that over 1,367,489 sea turtle hatchlings, which are protected by the U.S. Endangered is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge
hatchlings have been produced from nests laid thus far on Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370. For each year. The center’s conservation team works with 90
our beaches. With four full-time members of the research more information about sea turtle nesting, visit marinelife. local and international organizations across six continents
staff, seven seasonal morning technicians, two night org/nesting or marinelife.org/research. to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives
technicians, five morning interns and one night intern, About Loggerhead Marinelife Center and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean
LMC’s research staff members are able to monitor a 9.5- Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is a nonprofit sea conservation. The center is expanding and has launched its
mile stretch of beach in Palm Beach County. This specific turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to
stretch of beach is one of the most densely nested sea that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education
turtle nesting beaches in the world. LMC, a nonprofit sea a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of
turtle hospital, research, education and ocean conservation center features an on-site hospital, research laboratory, the world’s most advanced and unique experiences for
institution is located in Juno Beach. educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates guests and scientific partners. For more information, visit
Director of Research, Dr. Justin Perrault commented the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.
on the success of LMC’s research efforts and the record-
breaking nest count, “This news is quite exciting, especially
since season is nowhere near over, and we are still expecting
a few thousand more nests this season. The recent rise in $59
sea turtle nest counts are worth celebrating and are likely Introductory Massage
due to protection measures, enacted several decades ago.
We have to remind ourselves that there is still much work to
be done to combat existing threats to sea turtles, including
reducing plastic pollution, assessing habitat loss, and
improving water quality.”
While nesting numbers are at an all-time high this year,
it’s vital to remember that sea turtles continue to face
threats, namely plastic pollution. Currently, 100 percent
of post-hatchlings who are admitted to The Sea Turtle
Hospital at LMC have ingested plastic. In addition to Life
plastic pollution, sea turtles are faced with threats of record 561-745-1002
heat temperatures. The record heat may skew sea turtle Are you
hatchlings’ gender to female, thus reducing the number of 654 West Indiantown
males. happens.
How To Help: Road, Jupiter, FL 33458 covered?
To help LMC celebrate the record breaking sea turtle www.drlaruffa.com
nesting season:
• Blue Friends Society Beach Cleanup: Join LMC staff
and volunteers on Aug. 17 at 8:30 a.m. on the center’s back
deck for our monthly Blue Friends Society Beach Cleanup
where you can help reduce debris on one of the world’s
most important sea turtle nesting beaches.
• Adopt a nest: To celebrate this year’s record nesting Life
season people are encouraged to adopt a sea turtle nest.
For more information on this program please visit: https:// Are you
marinelife.org/help/adopt/. happens. covered?
Additionally, please remember to practice sea turtle-safe
protocol when visiting our local Florida beaches during
nesting and hatching season.
Do: Job change? Moving? Just married?
• Throw away debris left behind on the beach.
• Fill in holes in the sand, knock down sand castles and
remove foreign objects that may obstruct a sea turtle’s path
to and from the ocean. When your life changes, your health insurance may need to change
• If you come across a nesting sea turtle, observe at a with it. You may be able to enroll in a new health plan or change the
distance from behind. one you have now. But hurry, you only have 60 days from the event.
Moving?
Just married?
Job change?
• Look out for disoriented hatchlings on trails and roads
near the beach.
• Keep your lights out near the beach and install sea When your life changes, your health insurance may need to change
turtle-friendly lighting where needed. Call us for a free health plan checkup. We’ll help you find an affordable plan
with it. You may be able to enroll in a new health plan or change the
one you have now. But hurry, you only have 60 days from the event.
• Bring weak or disoriented hatchlings to Loggerhead that fits your life and your budget.
Marinelife Center. Hatchlings can be placed in a bucket
with damp sand, no water, for transport. They can be M&A INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Call us for a free health plan checkup. We’ll help you find an affordable plan
placed in the 24-hour drop-off cooler located outside the that fits your life and your budget.
center’s entrance (14200 U.S. Highway One, Juno Beach, M&A INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
FL 33408).
Don’t:
• Interact with or disrupt a nesting sea turtle.
• Release balloons (deflated ones resemble jellyfish, a (561) 440-9940
(561) 440-9940
common prey item for sea turtles).
WWW.MANDAINSURANCE.COM
• Use lighting on the beach at night including flashlights, WWW.MANDAINSURANCE.COM
lanterns, flash photography and cell phones.
• Touch hatchlings on their way to the ocean. These policies have limitations and exclusions. For costs and complete details of coverage, call your local agent or Florida Blue. Health insurance is offered by Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO, an HMO affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Florida. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not
• Take or touch empty egg shells, or exposed, unhatched These policies have limitations and exclusions. For costs and complete details of coverage, call your local agent or Florida Blue. Health insurance is offered by Blue Cross
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.
80883-0217
eggs. and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO, an HMO affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Harm or harass sea turtles, their nests or hatchlings. of Florida. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.
• Use shovels to dig on the beach during nesting season. 80883-0217