After logging the first nest in the entire state last week, it’s been a quiet week on Seabrook Island with just a single false crawl (non-nesting crawl).
Friday May 14
Jane Magioncalda and Sandy MacCoss reported a crawl between Boardwalks 2 and 3, but it was immediately clear that the turtle did not attempt to lay a nest. In spite of no nest being laid, it was nice to have a sea turtle back on the beach after a quiet week.
One of the biggest threats facing sea turtles is mortality through fishing bycatch – when a non-targeted species is caught. The majority of fishing’s impacts on sea turtles are from commercial operations, however, turtles are also sometimes caught from the shore with hook and line. It’s important to know what to do in the event that you catch a non-targeted species such as sea turtles. Better yet, it’s important to take measures that will limit the chances of bycatch. Click here to read some marine mammal and sea turtle-friendly fishing tips from the NOAA, as well as instructions from the South Carolina DNR on what to do if you accidentally hook a sea turtle.
For more information about Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol, click here.
-Submitted by Joshua Shilko