Today, Gulfarium CARE Center, a leading organization in Florida for rescuing and rehabilitating bycatch endangered sea turtles, celebrated the release of four rehabilitated sea turtles at Inlet Beach Regional Access. The event drew a diverse crowd of beachgoers, volunteers, sea turtle advocates, and school students who came to witness this remarkable marine conservation effort.
The Gulfarium CARE Center, based in the Destin-Fort Walton area, regularly conducts releases at locations like Inlet Beach to ensure the turtles return to a safe environment, far from the areas where they were first injured. Today's conditions were ideal, with crystal-clear water and minimal surf, allowing attendees to watch the turtles swim far into the Gulf of Mexico.
The release featured four subadult loggerhead turtles: Echo, Fillmore, Elmer, and Mira. Echo, weighing 96 lbs., was foul-hooked at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on June 15, 2024. This was Echo's second visit to the CARE Center this year, where the team successfully removed an internal hook and leader line from her upper stomach using a scope funded by the Sea Turtle License Plate Grant.
Fillmore, an 80 lb. loggerhead, had a brief stay at the CARE Center after being hooked at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on August 10, 2024. This was Fillmore's second release this summer, having previously been cleared and released on July 9th.
Elmer, a 75 lb. loggerhead, was hooked on June 21, 2024, also at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. X-rays revealed five internal hooks, all of which were removed before Elmer was medically cleared for release.
Mira, the heaviest at 98 lbs., earned the nickname "frequent flyer" at the CARE Center. This is her fourth visit, with three this year alone, all due to being hooked at various fishing piers. Mira was last hooked on June 3, 2024, and had two internal hooks removed from her esophagus before her release today. The team hopes this will be the last time they see her under such circumstances.
The Gulfarium CARE Center’s ongoing efforts highlight the critical need for responsible fishing practices to protect endangered sea turtles. "These turtles, especially Mira, emphasize the importance of marine conservation and the role we all play in ensuring the survival of these vital species," said Tabitha Siegfried, Stranding Coordinator at the CARE center.
The release was documented by Jordan Crowder, a friend of the CARE Center, who captured stunning drone footage of the event. This footage is available on the CARE Center’s social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram.
In addition to the release, the CARE Center used the event to educate the public about the role turtles play in marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about responsible fishing practices and how they can help prevent future hooking events.
If you see a sea turtle in distress, injured, or deceased please report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
Follow the C.A.R.E. Center on Facebook to learn more about sea turtles and the center's rehabilitation efforts. The C.A.R.E. Center and its patients can be visited as part of a general admission ticket to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
The Gulfarium CARE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is proud to act as a beacon for coastal conservation through marine animal rescue and rehabilitation.
