Coast Guard assists with sea turtle release off NC coast

By 5th District Public Affairs

WILMINGTON — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island out of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, helped release 19 rehabilitated sea turtles Dec. 15, off the North Carolina coast.

A North Carolina Aquarium employee, NCWRC employee and family of the Coast Guard crew joined the voyage where species of turtle including Kemp’s ridley, green and one loggerhead sea turtle were released near the Gulf Stream approximately 40 miles south of Beaufort.

Photo by Kevin E. Geraghty
Coast Guard family members and civilian passengers about Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island out of Atlantic Beach North Carolina prepare to release a rehabilitated sea turtle off the North Carolina coast Dec. 15, 2014. The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the North Carolina Resources Commission, helped release a total of 19 rehabilitated sea turtles into the Gulf Stream off the coast of North Carolina including Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles and a loggerhead sea turtle.

NCWRC confirmed the location as an ideal place to release the turtles.

There are two dedicated sea turtle rehabilitation centers in North Carolina – Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City and the STAR Center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Two additional North Carolina Aquariums, in Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher, assist with sea turtle rehabilitation when needed.

In late November, 50 sea turtles were transported from Massachusetts to North Carolina for treatment from hypothermia. They were some of the approximate 700 live hypothermic sea turtles found near Cape Cod in Massachusetts since mid-November. The sea turtle facilities in North Carolina were able to help with their rehabilitation.

Many of the Cape Cod turtles need more time in rehabilitation. Some of the 19 released were those found near Cape Cod. Additional turtles that were found injured or sick in North Carolina were released on the trip as well.