Page 6 - The Islander - December '19

Page 6, The Islander DOUBLE SPACE

LoGGerhead neWs

Go Blue Awards Winner, 4ocean, Helps LMC Celebrate

One Of Its Largest Sea Turtle Releases

It takes a village, and in this case a committed that advances rescue and release efforts that coincide with Properly send off LMC hatchlings! Visit LMC’s website
conservation partner, 4ocean, to support one of the largest LMC’s mission.” and name a hatchling to directly benefit the continued care
sea turtle releases to date for Loggerhead Marinelife Center 4ocean was the recipient of the Blue Business Award and treatment of sick and injured sea turtle patients.
(LMC). On Friday, Oct. 18, LMC released 242 hatchlings on Friday, Oct. 25 at LMC’s 11th Annual Go Blue Awards About Loggerhead Marinelife Center
and post-hatchlings who were “blown in” after Hurricane Luncheon as voted by an independent panel of judges. Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is a nonprofit sea
Dorian coasted Florida, including two juvenile turtles in The company has removed over seven million pounds of turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution
partnership with The Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC). trash in just two and a half years. 4ocean is building the that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with
Due to erratic wave and wind patterns from Hurricane first economy for ocean plastic while creating a cleaner, a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The
Dorian, hundreds of local hatchlings were left stranded more sustainable future for the ocean by creating jobs, center features an onsite hospital, research laboratory,
and disoriented on beaches managed by the center. utilizing the latest technology and raising awareness educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates
Another problem created by Dorian was blowing all of about the impact of trash in the ocean and on marine life. the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and
the sargassum seaweed out to sea – seaweed offshore is Together LMC and 4ocean, both based in Palm Beach sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important
home and habitat to baby sea turtles. For many weeks, County, share like-minded values to protect our most sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center
LMC sought the support of local fishermen, helicopter important natural assets. is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge
pilots, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation The two juvenile loggerhead sea turtles, Boomerang each year. The center’s conservation team works with 90
Commission (FWC) to detect nearby sargassum for and Friend, were patients from GSTC located on Jekyll local and international organizations across six continents
hatchlings to strengthen their chances of survival. Island, Ga. Both Boomerang and Friend arrived to the to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives
Findings show only one in 1,000 hatchlings make it to center in the summer of 2018 as straggler hatchlings. and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean
adulthood – a 20- to 30-year journey. Sea turtles spend the Upon arrival, Boomerang weighed only 9 grams, conservation. The center is expanding and has launched its
first one to two years of life floating in the Sargasso Sea. equivalent to the weight of a pair of dice, but left weighing Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to
A lack of seaweed used as floating mats can increasingly more than a soccer ball. Over time, Boomerang became accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education
hurt their chances of survival. an educational ambassador and was one of GSTC’s most impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of the
The week of Oct. 18, LMC was notified of a large symbolically adoptable patients. The two made their world’s most advanced and unique experiences for guests
patch of sargassum drifting north toward West Palm debut back in the wild alongside LMC’s released sea and scientific partners. For more information, visit www.
Beach. Staff members proactively contacted 4ocean to turtle hatchling patients. marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.
transport the hatchlings to the site. 4ocean also offered
its services to remove plastic debris from the floating
sargassum prior to release, including four partially
deflated balloons, a floating toy truck, a 2- by 3-foot sinGer spotLiGht from page 1
plastic sheet, and other forms of plastic waste.
“Sea turtle research and conservation are built into our MIATC produces the annual Treasure Coast under the Roosevelt Bridge at 54 N.W. Dixie Hwy.,
DNA,” said 4ocean cofounder Alex Schulze. “Our sea Waterway Cleanup which enlists more than 1,000 Stuart, Jan. 10, 11 and 12. Show dates and times:
turtle and leatherback bracelets support critical research volunteers who set out to clean up 125 miles of Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10
waterways. In the past 14 years this event has removed a.m. to 5 p.m. General Admission: $14. Free shuttle
more than 87 tons of trash! The next cleanup will be buses will run continuously from the show’s official
in July. parking lot at Whitham Field in Stuart.
MIATC also sponsors several boater education Tickets are on sale now and make great holiday
programs through the Coast Guard Flotilla and the gifts, https://stuartboatshow.com/tickets.
power squadron. Classes such as powerboat handling, For more information about the show and to buy
boating essentials, coastal cruising are just a few of tickets visit http://www.stuartboatshow.com.
the classes throughout the month. Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/
All of this from one yearly boat show. stuartboatshow.
The Stuart Boat Show returns to its annual port

trim,

tack,

fasten,

& fun!

Art by Instructor Allyson Daley

Explore sewing, fiber art, and
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Ages 13+ and adults.
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811 Park Place
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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