Gulf World Marine Institute: Sea Turtle Release at Inlet Beach

Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing “Barney” the loggerhead sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, November 14th at 10:00 am at Walton County Beach Access at South Walton Lakeshore Drive, Inlet Beach.

Barney was reported to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation (FWC) by some homeowners in Panama City, who observed him floating and lethargic in the shallows near their home. He was rescued and brought to Gulf World Marine Institute. Described as a debilitated turtle, the name Barney was chosen because of the extreme load of barnacles he had covering his body when he arrived. Barney was given a full health assessment, including bloodwork, radiographs, fluid therapy, and was placed on antibiotics. Soon, Barney regained his appetite and was seen exploring much of his habitat, which was a good sign! After completing his antibiotics, and receiving medical clearance from the veterinary team, Barney has been cleared for release by the FWC. The public is invited to attend this event. 

GWMI would like to thank the local homeowners for their report of Barney. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1- 888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone. 

GULF WORLD MARINE INSTITUTE news

Gulf World Marine Institute has been busy with loggerhead sea turtles this summer, and we're fortunate to have been able to release so many of them! (If you missed the others, check out the event page for Barney's release on Thursday!) We were also fortunate enough this year to receive funding to purchase new equipment to help better care for these amazing patients.

This year, GWMI received not one, but two grants from the Sea Turtle Conservancy's Sea Turtle Grant Program! These sea turtle stretchers and new endoscopy equipment were funded in whole by a grant awarded from the Sea Turtle Grants Program. The Sea Turtle Grants Program is funded from proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate. Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.

Since 1997, the purchase of the Florida Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate has aided in funding sea turtle education, research, and conservation projects throughout the state. These grants are competitive, and GWMI has been fortunate to receive many over the years. We are one of many organizations that benefit from the public purchase of this plate. In 2018, the Helping Sea Turtles Survive Plate was in the top 5 of all specialty plates sold in Florida. Remember, it matters to us which plate you buy!

Gulf World Marine Institute operates under the umbrella of Gulf World by Dolphin Discovery as a 501c3 nonprofit and has served as the only long-term marine mammal rehabilitation facility in Northern Florida. The Institute responds to sick, injured or stranded animals, rehabilitates and releases them into the wild and serves as an educational resource to schools throughout our area. The Institute has rescued thousands of sick and debilitated marine animals since 1970. 

Learn more about Gulf World Marine Institute and their important work at gwmi.info. Follow Gulf World Marine Institute on Facebook for updates and news. If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the Florida Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-888-404-3922.