Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) will be releasing four loggerhead sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, July 26th at 8:00 am central time from the beach in front of the Carousel Supermarket at 19440 Front Beach Road.
Attendees should be prepared to cross the outfall that cuts down in front of Carousel, as the release will be taking place on the eastward side. Please also plan on arriving early (which is why the FB event is listed as starting at 745), as space will likely get crowded very quickly. Educational and merchandise options will be available prior to the turtles arriving!
The four loggerhead sea turtles being released, REM, Colin, Francesca, and Queen Charlotte, were all brought to GWMI in recent weeks after being accidentally hooked at local fishing piers! Thanks to efforts by the pier management teams from the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier, PCB Beach Rescue lifeguards, PCB Beach Police officers, and Panama City Beach Turtle Watch, there turtles were able to be rescued safely after being hooked.
"REM" was rescued from the M.B. Miller County Pier at 1:30 AM on May 20th with help from the PCB Police Department. In addition to the hook he/she was caught on for the rescue, REM had gear entangling the front flippers, and 5 internal hooks as well. The entangling gear was removed, all external hooks were removed, and the internal gear was eventually retrieved from the intestines after they passed through his/her system! REM was one of many sea turtle patients brought in this summer who have been feed cotton balls to help pass internal gear safely!
"Colin (Bridgerton)" was another pier-rescued turtle brought in from the County Pier on May 23. Colin's story included internal gear as well, as well as multiple veterinary procedures to try and remove them. Successful time with the veterinary team, along with some time with cotton balls to remove multiple chunks of fishing line, have led to a successful rehad for Colin!
"Francesca (Bridgerton)" (pictured) was rescued from the Russell-Fields City Pier on June 14th. This day was particularly exciting, because the PCB Beach Rescue lifeguard team had just undergone their annual sea turtle and shorebird workshop with GWMI, PCB Turtle Watch, and FWC shorebird biologists that morning. So, they got very quick real-world practice at a large loggerhead rescue with the pier management's drop net! Francesca also had entangling gear that was removed safely by the veterinary team, and had an internal treble hook that was safely passed after time.
Finally, "Queen Charlotte" has the quickest turnaround time of this group, having just come into GWMI after being rescued from the Russell-Fields City Pier on July 15th! Queen Charlotte had 5 internal hooks and some fishing line that were all able to be removed from the mouth, and her appetite returned quickly!
All sea turtles have been medically cleared by veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. 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.
Attendees should be prepared to cross the outfall that cuts down in front of Carousel, as the release will be taking place on the eastward side. Please also plan on arriving early (which is why the FB event is listed as starting at 745), as space will likely get crowded very quickly. Educational and merchandise options will be available prior to the turtles arriving!
The four loggerhead sea turtles being released, REM, Colin, Francesca, and Queen Charlotte, were all brought to GWMI in recent weeks after being accidentally hooked at local fishing piers! Thanks to efforts by the pier management teams from the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier, PCB Beach Rescue lifeguards, PCB Beach Police officers, and Panama City Beach Turtle Watch, there turtles were able to be rescued safely after being hooked.
"REM" was rescued from the M.B. Miller County Pier at 1:30 AM on May 20th with help from the PCB Police Department. In addition to the hook he/she was caught on for the rescue, REM had gear entangling the front flippers, and 5 internal hooks as well. The entangling gear was removed, all external hooks were removed, and the internal gear was eventually retrieved from the intestines after they passed through his/her system! REM was one of many sea turtle patients brought in this summer who have been feed cotton balls to help pass internal gear safely!
"Colin (Bridgerton)" was another pier-rescued turtle brought in from the County Pier on May 23. Colin's story included internal gear as well, as well as multiple veterinary procedures to try and remove them. Successful time with the veterinary team, along with some time with cotton balls to remove multiple chunks of fishing line, have led to a successful rehad for Colin!
"Francesca (Bridgerton)" (pictured) was rescued from the Russell-Fields City Pier on June 14th. This day was particularly exciting, because the PCB Beach Rescue lifeguard team had just undergone their annual sea turtle and shorebird workshop with GWMI, PCB Turtle Watch, and FWC shorebird biologists that morning. So, they got very quick real-world practice at a large loggerhead rescue with the pier management's drop net! Francesca also had entangling gear that was removed safely by the veterinary team, and had an internal treble hook that was safely passed after time.
Finally, "Queen Charlotte" has the quickest turnaround time of this group, having just come into GWMI after being rescued from the Russell-Fields City Pier on July 15th! Queen Charlotte had 5 internal hooks and some fishing line that were all able to be removed from the mouth, and her appetite returned quickly!
All sea turtles have been medically cleared by veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. 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.
