Photo courtesy of Mote Marine

Last week, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium took over 40 sea turtle hatchlings offshore to be released following rehabilitation. Mote’s Hatchling Hospital successfully rehabilitated 33 hatchlings, many of which were recovered from pools after they became disoriented. Mote’s team made an additional offshore trip this week to release 10 additional hatchlings that recovered at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s marine life hospital. These hatchlings suffered from a variety of impairments including disorientation and malnutrition. While nesting season is winding down, over 300 nests still remain on Sarasota-area beaches and another 100 nests remain on north Pinellas County beaches. Artificial lighting and other human-caused issues remain the biggest threat to the remaining nests and the survival of future hatchlings. Simple changes can make an ocean of difference.

For tips of nesting season, learn more at mote.org or connect with @motemarinelab

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine