Latest news with #TheFloridaAquarium
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
FWC launches ‘Coral Defender' to protect reefs in Florida Keys
FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WFLA) — A new biodegradable tool dubbed the 'Coral Defender' was launched this week in an effort to safeguard newly outplanted corals in Florida's waters. The 'Coral Defender' is a 3-D printed tool made from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that protect corals from predation. The PHAs are naturally produced by bacteria through fermenting sugars or fats. Tampa man found in the water, clinging to pylon after theft in Florida Keys: deputies Launched by The Florida Aquarium and Florida Fish and Wildlife, scientists will monitor the corals for the next year and a half. The pilot program aims to evaluate the 'Coral Defenders' ability to protect the corals from fish predation, how fast the material degrades in the ocean, and coral outplant survival over time. Divers spent two days outplanting 660 young corals, raised at the aquarium, at four reef sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Half were placed among three species— grooved brain, symmetrical brain, and ridged cactus corals, to compare them to outplants without the defender tool. 'Our Coral Defender represents an evolution in coral restoration,' the project's leader and Research Scientist with the Coral Research Program at FWRI said. 'By providing a biodegradable, yet effective defense against predators, we're giving these corals a fighting chance to grow and thrive naturally.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Florida officials announce record year for certain threatened sea turtle nests
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has finalized its sea turtle nest count for 2024, with great news for some species. Here are the final numbers: Green Turtles: 14,308 Loggerheads: 110,122 Leatherbacks: 1,799 Kemp's Ridleys: 34 Hawksbills: 0 [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] These numbers are especially critical for loggerhead sea turtles and green turtles, which increasingly rely on Florida for nesting grounds. FWC says Florida beaches host around 90% of all loggerhead nests in the Southeast United States and about 40% of them worldwide. Officials say last season had a solid turnout,. Green turtle nesting numbers were lower than last year, but that was expected -- Last year set a new record. The number of Kemp's ridley nests is significant, despite the number being far behind the rest. This is a new record for the state, and a positive sign for the most endangered species of sea turtle. There were just 10 recorded in 2023 and 8 in 2022, according to FWC data. At the end of nesting season in October, St. Johns County recorded 4 Kemp's ridley turtles on its beaches. The first Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest recorded in St. Johns County was in 2015, after conservationist attempts to expand their nesting grounds. Sea turtle conservationists have raised concerns about the status of the animals in 2025, however. When water temperatures drop to the low 50s or below, sea turtles can become cold-stressed, which causes them to become lethargic and possibly stranded on shore. Related: Doctors at St. Johns County sea turtle hospital saw highest influx of sea turtles in January The Florida Aquarium announced Thursday that it had reached capacity for sea turtle rescues as record numbers of cold-stressed patients arrived at its rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach. Officials say they now have 56, which is the highest number recorded at one time. 'This is one of the earliest and most severe cold-stress events we've ever seen,' said Dr. Debi Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. 'We usually see strandings peak between late February and April, but we're already at full capacity, and more turtles are continuing to struggle.' Cold stress is also a leading cause of death for Florida's threatened manatees. Related: 565 manatees were reported dead in Florida last year: Here's what we've learned If you see a washed-up sea turtle, St. Johns County officials say to never push them back into the ocean. Instead, you're encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Hotline. To call, dial 888-404-3922. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Florida officials announce record year for certain threatened sea turtle nests
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has finalized its sea turtle nest count for 2024, with great news for some species. Here are the final numbers: Green Turtles: 14,308 Loggerheads: 110,122 Leatherbacks: 1,799 Kemp's Ridleys: 34 Hawksbills: 0 [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] These numbers are especially critical for loggerhead sea turtles and green turtles, which increasingly rely on Florida for nesting grounds. FWC says Florida beaches host around 90% of all loggerhead nests in the Southeast United States and about 40% of them worldwide. Officials say last season had a solid turnout,. Green turtle nesting numbers were lower than last year, but that was expected -- Last year set a new record. The number of Kemp's ridley nests is significant, despite the number being far behind the rest. This is a new record for the state, and a positive sign for the most endangered species of sea turtle. There were just 10 recorded in 2023 and 8 in 2022, according to FWC data. At the end of nesting season in October, St. Johns County recorded 4 Kemp's ridley turtles on its beaches. The first Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest recorded in St. Johns County was in 2015, after conservationist attempts to expand their nesting grounds. Sea turtle conservationists have raised concerns about the status of the animals in 2025, however. When water temperatures drop to the low 50s or below, sea turtles can become cold-stressed, which causes them to become lethargic and possibly stranded on shore. Related: Doctors at St. Johns County sea turtle hospital saw highest influx of sea turtles in January The Florida Aquarium announced Thursday that it had reached capacity for sea turtle rescues as record numbers of cold-stressed patients arrived at its rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach. Officials say they now have 56, which is the highest number recorded at one time. 'This is one of the earliest and most severe cold-stress events we've ever seen,' said Dr. Debi Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. 'We usually see strandings peak between late February and April, but we're already at full capacity, and more turtles are continuing to struggle.' Cold stress is also a leading cause of death for Florida's threatened manatees. Related: 565 manatees were reported dead in Florida last year: Here's what we've learned If you see a washed-up sea turtle, St. Johns County officials say to never push them back into the ocean. Instead, you're encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Hotline. To call, dial 888-404-3922. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Story of ‘survival': Sea turtle found stranded a mile from the Gulf makes return home
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) — A sea turtle that found itself stranded more than a mile from the ocean in November finally made its way back home. Beachgoers' cheers filled the air Wednesday as the turtle named Buckley made its return to the Gulf waters at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo to perform 2 Pinellas shows with the Florida Orchestra Staff at The Florida Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center said it was a long-awaited homecoming, and a celebration of 'survival, second chances, and the power of rehabilitation.' According to officials, a group of Good Samaritans knew Buckley was in trouble when they found the sea turtle on a dirt road in rural Dixie County back in November. Rescuers said Buckley was nowhere near the ocean, and it's unclear how the turtle got there. A call to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission set Buckley's rescue into motion, with the turtle eventually winding up at The Florida Aquarium's rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach. Staff at the aquarium named the turtle after Buck Creek, which is nearby where Buckley was found. While at the rehabilitation center, staff members worked to help the turtle regain weight, stabilize dangerously low blood sugar levels and heal scratches to the bottom of its shell, likely sustained from traversing through rough terrain. By February, the sea turtle was healthy enough to make its return home. 'This is why we do what we do — to see a once-struggling sea turtle like Buckley return home, stronger and healthier. It's heartwarming,' said Ashley Riese, The Florida Aquarium's Sea Turtle Conservation Program Director. 'Buckley's recovery is a testament to the incredible collaboration between rescuers, the aquarium's animal care team, veterinarians, and our entire community.' Buckley's sendoff on Wednesday, however, may not be the last time beachgoers interact with the turtle. A satellite tag was attached to the sea turtle's shell so that the community and biologists can continue to track Buckley's travels and gather conservation data. Each time Buckley surfaces to breathe, the tag will send a signal to a satellite. Staff said this will allow them to track feeding habits, migratory patterns, and environmental conditions like water temperature. The tracking feature will be live 24 hours to a week after Buckley's release. Click here to follow along with Buckley's journey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
