Teresa Kowall
WMODA is excited to showcase sea turtles throughout September during the final wave of our Splash! exhibition. Thanks to our new collaboration with the Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (S.T.O.P.), visitors can celebrate the magnificence of these marine creatures and the vital conservation work happening along our Florida coast. We are also pleased to highlight our spectacular WMODA collection of sea turtles, including glass and ceramic sculptures by contemporary artists working locally and overseas.
On August 6th, I was lucky enough to spend my birthday participating in S.T.O.P.’s first Turtle Talk and Beach Walk of the season, where volunteers educate members of the public on the importance of sea turtles and the dangers they face, followed by a group visit to a nearby beach to observe S.T.O.P. volunteers in action. From afar, I watched volunteers supervise nests and rescue disoriented hatchlings. After all disoriented hatchlings were safely rescued, I had the opportunity to watch S.T.O.P.’s volunteers gently place the hatchlings in the ocean surf to give them the best possible start in life. That night, I was fortunate to witness over 70 babies safely reach the ocean, and I’m thrilled to know I now share my birthday with at least 70 of these precious animals out there in the world.
The Lifesaving Work of Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (S.T.O.P.)
Every year, from March to October, thousands of female sea turtles return to the beaches where they themselves were born to lay their eggs. Our sandy Florida backyards are home to three very precious species of sea turtles: Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Green.
Even under natural circumstances, only 1 in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survive; with human interference and threats, that rate has plummeted to 1 in 7,000-10,000. Boat strikes, commercial fishing, and plastic pollution have ravaged the populations of these precious creatures who are critical to the success of marine ecosystems around the world. One of the biggest threats to the survival of the 3 turtle species that call our Florida shores home is light pollution. While many people see the bright lights of cities and resort properties as signs of progress, they are perilous to these already fragile hatchlings. Streetlamps and business lights draw the babies’ attention, and they mistake them for the glow of the moon. The hatchlings crawl away from the ocean towards those bright city lights.
Impossible Odds
Current estimates show that around 33% of hatchlings go the wrong direction after hatching, resulting in being run over by cars or stranded in locations where they perish from starvation, dehydration, or predation. When you also factor in that sea turtles do not reach sexual maturity until age 25, the odds are heavily against these beautiful animals. This is why all seven species of sea turtles in the world are listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.
Defenders in the Dark
Sadly, only a few organizations currently work across Florida to preserve and protect sea turtle hatchlings along our shores. WMODA has been very fortunate to partner with one of them to highlight this critical work in our own backyard. Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (S.T.O.P.) mobilizes nightly volunteer rescue patrols to intercept sea turtle hatchlings disoriented by urban light pollution. Their critical frontline work ensures these vulnerable, federally protected babies bypass deadly inland hazards and reach the surf safely, where they belong. S.T.O.P. is a grassroots organization, comprised entirely of volunteers, working since 2007 “to advocate for and rescue sea turtles, preserve their critical habitats, and educate and inspire the public to drive meaningful change.”
They also work tirelessly to support enforcement of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as well as Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act. These laws protect all life stages of sea turtles, from eggs and nests to hatchlings and adults. Violations can result in fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to one year. S.T.O.P. works with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers to identify organizations and individuals violating these important protections. S.T.O.P.’s work in our community is critical to protecting these most vulnerable members of our local marine ecosystems.
S.T.O.P. volunteers will join us for a presentation about their lifesaving frontline efforts during our Last Splash! event on September 27th. Come discover how our dedicated partners are helping our local marine life not only survive but thrive!
Read more about Sea Life at WMODA
It’s Turtle Time
The Journey of Two
