THE SEA TURTLE GENETICS PROJECT FOR SC, NC, AND GEORGIA

DNA SEA TURTLE GENETICS PROJECT

 In 2008 Dr. Brian Shamblin at the University of Georgia developed new DNA markers that could identify individual Sea Turtles from an egg sample.

One egg out of every nest is used for the Genetics study, this will have the Mothers DNA.  This will not only identify the specific mother but will also identify the species or sub species. This information is critical to identify where the specific Sea Turtles nest, how often they nest, how long they live, and will identify offspring and much more critical information as we learn how to help the Endangered Sea Turtle Species survive. 

The DNA is also used when an adult is found deceased, as this is critical information as to why this mother is not nesting anymore.

2022 WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RECORDED YEAR FOR THE SC SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON

RUSULTS OF THE 2022 NESTING SEASON IN SOUTH CAROLINA

What a great year 2022 was for the endangered Sea Turtles. The South Carolina beaches ended up with a total of over 8000 nests being counted and an estimated 535,000 hatchlings emerged in the summer of 2022.   

2022 was the second highest documented nesting year on record.  Many factors could impact the outcome of a Sea Turtles nest chances of survival.  Hurricanes, flooding, king tides, bad weather, animals, human interference and the list goes on. Hurricane Ian had come late in the season, while it had devastating impacts on land and Sea, it was later in the season with allot of the nest already hatched. 

  

A little bit about some of the protections and awareness has brought to the Sea Turtle populations: 

In 1977-1979 it was estimated that only about 8% of the Sea Turtle Nest hatched in SC.  Between the years of 1980-1990 with some protection in place about 80% of the nest hatched.

In 1980 the Sea Turtle and Stranding Network was started in SC.  In SC Sea Turtles that are stranded are taken to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center by a trained and permitted person.

In 1988 Turtle Excluder Devises (TEDS) were required in SC, and federally in 1991.  TEDS are used on boats that use bottom trawlers, they are designed to allow Sea Turtles and other larger sea life to escape through a large opening, allowing shrimp and smaller catch to go into the net, and larger sea life to escape.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Along with the colder weather comes the risk of Sea Turtles getting cold stun. Sea Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles, so they depend on the water temperature to regulate their body temperature.  When the surrounding water temperatures get below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Sea Turtles are susceptible to getting hypothermia, they become weak and lethargic and unable to swim very well.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle that is on the beach, please make sure not to put them back into the water.  Any Sea Turtle that is found on the beach is in desperate need of help. 

If you are in NMB or Briarcliffe areas and see a stranded Sea Turtle please call the NMB STP HOTLINE at 1-843-213-9074.

Happy Holidays

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

FROM THE NORTH MYRTLE BEACH SEA TURTLE PATROL

 

WHAT DO SEA TURTLES DO DURING A BAD STORM OR HURRICANE

 While watching a big storm come in or the threat of a hurricane, I have often wondered how Sea life would be affected, one in particular, the endangered Sea Turtles.  

Unfortunately, because the storms typically hit our beaches during the nesting season, the storms often over wash the incubating nest, or the severe erosion will take the nest out to Sea. While This is nature and one that adds to the loss of this already struggling endangered sea turtle species, special groups and patrols all over the world do what they can to help in other ways to protect the Sea Turtles and the nest.  In NMB with special training and permits, the Patrol will put cages over the nest to protect the nest from animals, they will also relocate the nest if it is in an unsafe part of the beach or too close to the water in hopes to help make the difference.

But what do the Sea Turtles do during the storms, they have a couple of ways that they have adapted to help survive during these times. 

 Some of the Sea Turtles dive deep down under the turbulent waters into the calm waters and try to wait out the severe parts of the storms. Sea Turtle do need to breath and need to come up for air very often, they can hold their breath for 2 to 3 hours at a time before needing to surface for more air if they are not active.

Sometimes they will leave the area, aligning themselves with the currents of the Sea. The Sea Turtles are often able to know ahead of time when the bad storms and hurricanes are coming because they are often swim in the area between the surface and turbulent waters coming. 

  

THE NORTH MRYTLE BEACH PATROL HAS ADOPTED FOUR BEACH ACCESSES IN NMB

 Through Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful, the NMB STP has adopted four Beach Accesses.  The NMB STP commitment will be to keep these beach accesses clean.  While the NMB STP also walk 11 Miles of beach from May 1st to the middle of August, many Volunteers also pick up allot of trash and fill in holes while they are walking their daily segments, while many also walk the beaches year round, picking up trash on their walks.  Every bit helps.

THIS IS OUR FIRST DAY OUT

WE MUST DO BETTER!! WHY?

6 buckets of trash on one segment, and two buckets full of trash on the other

Every piece of trash is documented

                                  

While this is a small portion of the beach, many people have volunteered to adopt a beach access Through Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful, what a great way to make a huge difference.  

Always remember, each and every one can make a huge impact, just make sure to bring everything off the beach that you came with, the broken sand toy, chairs, umbrellas, and the sandwich wrappers, drink bottles, and the Plastic bags, and if you pick up a couple of extra pieces of trash and dispose of on your way off the beach, what an added bonus this would be. If every one of us did this, what an impact for the oceans and beaches we will have, one piece at a time.

Many thanks to the Judy and Margarete for helping to get this started. 

NMB STP OUTREACH PROGRAM PARTICIPATES AT THE SWAMPFEST ON NOVEMBER 5 TH

 What a fun day for the NMB STP and for many groups of kids and families at Playcard Environmental Education Center in Loris.  Many others had participated in this program, geared towards the environment, many booths and games were set up for a fun and educational day for all.

  

Many thanks to the Playcard Environmental Education Center for inviting us to participate in this great event.