EXCITING NEWS PROTECTED NEST # 4 TODAY MAY 26th

 ITS A RECORD NUMBER OF EGGS FOR NMB 180 EGGS

While anticipation was high this morning, NMB STP Thursday segment walkers are out at sunrise all walking certain segments of the beach, looking for a crawl.  (11 Miles of beach between NMB and Briarcliff Areas)

 Then an early morning call came from a former STP volunteer Steve to Linda (Permit Holder). THERE IS A POSSIBLE NEST.  Linda, Chuck and Chris are quickly on the way. Thursday Walkers Barbara and Cherie are the first to arrive as this is their segment to walk and soon Brenda M, Diane, Erica and Sandy are there to help.

Barbara and Cherie educating and answering the many questions from the excited beach walkers this morning.

Many thanks to all the segment walkers that walked this Thursday morning

Linda and Chuck carefully looking at the crawl, as this will help locate the nest more quickly

(They can often times see where the mother had laid her head or a flipper mark in the sand while she was nesting). 

Yes, this is from years and years of experience

Chuck probes and soon finds the nest.  Linda carefully digs down to the nest and yes eggs are found.

180 eggs

This mother Sea turtle had dug a very deep hole

Determining That this Nest is in unsafe place on the beach, it is relocated and protected to a safer location. 

Nest # 4

 

IF YOU SEE A MOTHER SEA TURTLE NESTING ON THE BEACH PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE AND NEST IN PEACE. If in NMB or Briarcliff areas please call.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

DAY OR NIGHT

ALL SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED AND  FEDERALLY AND STATE PROTECTED 

IT IS ILEAGAL TO TOUCH, HARRASS, SHINE  LIGHTS ON OR USE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 

OR TO INTERFERE ANY WAY WITH A NESTING SEA TURTLE, THE NEST OR EGGS.

NMB STP stranding #4 North Myrtle Beach

 A call came around 10:30 am May 24, 2022 by NMB STP volunteer Sharron, to the NMB STP hotline.

 A  Sea Turtle Rolling Around in the surf. Quickly Linda(Permit Holder) and NMB STP volunteers are

 on their way. NMB Ocean Rescue is first to arrive, the Officer was able to help in the Rescue of this

 loggerhead, and had brought him to the beach access as it will be easier and quicker to get the Sea

 Turtle Help. Special thanks to NMB Ocean Rescue and the Sharon for calling this Sea Turtle Rescue

 into Linda.

 

As all Sea Turtles are Endangered, they are Federally and State protected. Special care and precautions

  by Permit holder Linda are set in place, Phone calls are made, a quick assessment, pictures

 taken and sent to the Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston so they are able to access what the

 immediate needs may be when the Sea Turtle arrives.  Linda and the NMB Ocean Rescue, quickly

 carry  this heavy Loggerhead to be transported

This Loggerhead stranded with a heavy buildup of barnacles and thin body structure (while Barnacles

 are often found on Sea Turtles catching a ride) A Large amount is usually a sign that something is

 wrong. (sick and in need of help) Despite high hopes, this Sea Turtle had Passed away on the way to

 the SC Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston. 

DNR will perform a Necropsy to help determine the cause of death. This information will be

 documented and shared, as the more we know about these beautiful Sea Turtles, the better we can help

 to protect our Sea Turtle Sea Turtle species

PLEASE, IF YOU SEE A SEA TURTLE STRANDED ON THE BEACH  OR WATER LINE PLEASE 

 DO NOT PUT IT BACK INTO THE OCEAN.  SEA TURTLES WILL ONLY STRAND IF IN NEED

OF  HELP. IT IS CRITICAL FOR THEM TO GET HELP AS SOON AS POSIBLE.

If in NMB or Briarcliffe Areas

PLEASE CALL

1-843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT 

GREAT NEWS FROM THE SC SEA TURTLE CARE CENTER MAY 25TH

WHEN THEY SAY IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO SAVE A SEA TURTLE, IT REALLY DOES

ALL THE RIGHT CALLS AND TRANSPORTS IN PLACE, THE FISHERMEN KNOWING 

NOT TO PUT THIS SEA TURTLE BACK INTO THE OCEAN. (By the way his/her name is Sunstone)

On July29th of 2021 a late-night call came in from some fishermen in Myrtle Beach about a Sea Turtle that they had hooked in the flipper. At this point they could tell that the left front flipper was severely injured and most of it gone. The fisherman then called DNR, who reached out to Linda (permit holder)  

AS it was late in the night and the Sea Turtle Care Center closed, many conversations and calls between Linda NMP STP (permit holder) MB STP and DNR  are placed, as this Sea turtle, not adult yet but still large as he/she is 88 LBS.

Its decided that Sunstone will spend the night in the care of Ann (permit Holder) at the Myrtle beach state park( as this is closest and would be easiest for Sunstone with the least amount of stress.)

Linda Mataya making arrangements late into the night and into the morning hours for the plan of care and transport from the NMB STP to get Sunstone to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center asap. Early morning and the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol is on the way with Sunstone. ( I am pretty sure 0 sleep for Linda) 

Sunstone was very active when he/she arrived upon opening of the SC Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston.  But the front left flipper wound was pretty severe.  Ex-rays are taken, bloodwork is done, during the examination, it determined likely a shark bite. Antibiotics to help prevent infection, fluids, Vitamins and extensive regiment of Cold therapy for Sunstone.

Sunstone has spent the last10 months under the excellent care of the Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston SC. Sunstones Flipper has healed.  He/she was evaluated for release. checking off all the right boxes for release. DNR then put a PIT scan tag on Sunstone (the Pit scan tag is about the size of a grain of rice). they also apply a flipper tag on the flipper.( this will help if Sunstone is ever becomes stranded again.

Today at Folly Beach in SC, 6 rehabilitated stranding Sea Turtles were released. 3 Loggerhead and 3 Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles. Each one of them having been rescued( Each having an incredible rescue story) and then transported to the care and rehabilitated by the SC Sea Turtle Care Center at the SC Aquarium. 

AND YES SUNSTONE WAS ONE OF THEM !!!!!!!

If you would like to see this incredible release go to the 

SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM Facebook page

GOOD LUCK to the 3 Loggerhead Sea Turtles and the 3 Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles Released.

May 25th False crawl #3 in NMB

 Just before sunrise this morning, Leonard an avid morning walker and photographer, was out

 enjoying a quiet walk on the beach when he came upon a Sea Turtle Crawl. Calling the NMB STP

 hotline. Linda (Permit holder ) is on her way along with Wednesday segment walkers Maddy,

 Connie and Julie. A Huge thanks to all the Wednesday NMB STP walkers.

 

The crawl is checked and determined to be a false crawl

(a false crawl  is when a Sea Turtle comes to shore turns around without nesting

SEA TURTLES ARE EASLY SCARED BY HUMAN INTERFERENCE,  AND MAY GO BACK

 INTO THE OCEAN WITHOUT NESTING IF SCARED. ( sometimes having to drop her eggs in the ocean, where they would become non-viable and would  never have the chance to become a hatchling)

PLEASE IF YOU SEE A SEA TURTLE NESTING LEAVE HER ALONE:

LET HER NEST IN PEACE AND KNOW THAT BY DOING THIS, YOU HAVE MADE THE

 DIFFERENCE IN  HELPING IN THE SURVIVAL OF THE BEAUTIFUL AND ENDANGERED

 SEA TURTLE SPECIES.

SEA TURTLES ARE FEDERALLY AND STATE PROTECTED AND IT IS ELEGAL TO TOUCH , HARRASSE ,SHINE LIGHTS, USE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY AND IN ANYWAY HARM OR INTERFERE WITH A NEST, EGGS, OR TURTLES.

If in NMB or Briarcliffe areas and you see a nesting Sea Turtle please call immediately

843-213-9074

Day or night

SEA TURTLE STRANDING #3

On May 20th 2022, A stranding call came in just after noon to Linda Mataya (Permit Holder) for NMB

 STP from DNR, a live juvenile Sea Turtle stranding in the surf by Ocean Annies, south of Apache Pier.

   NMB STP is quickly on their way.   As all sea turtles are endangered they are federally and state

 protected, special training and precautions for handling and transporting are required.

Many thanks to Officer Mckinney with the Horry Beach Patrol for calling this sea turtle in, also the first to arrive. While NMB STP was on the way, Officer Mckinney got the Sea Turtle out of the hot sun into the shade and put a wet towel over his Carapace (shell). Thank you to the Beach Patrol, always willing to help.

Soon Chris from NMP STP arrive to transport this Juvenile Sea Turtle to the  SC Sea Turtle Care Center at the SC Aquarium in Charleston.

Photos are quickly taken and sent so the Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston so stagg will have a better understanding of what might be needed when the Sea Turtles first arrive. Time is often critical. 

Sadly, on the way to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center,  this poor Sea Turtle had passed Away.  DNR will

 perform a necropsy.  This information will be documented as all findings will be useful for the future

 of the Sea Turtles.  This information will be will help in identifying ways we may be able to further

 help in protecting the Sea Turtle Species as well as gaining more information on these Beautiful

 endangered Sea Turtles.

In 2021 while NMB STP was on the way to transport this  Loggerhead Sea Turtle to the SC Sea

 Turtle Care Center in Charleston, Officer Mckinney was also the first to arrive on the Beach of this

 reported Loggerhead stranded on shore.  UNFORTUNATLY when he arrived, someone thinking they

 were helping the Endangered Sea Turtle, pushed this extremely sick, exhausted 85 pound Sea Turtle 

 back out to ocean.  Officer  McKinney then ran out and carried this heavy Loggerhead Sea Turtle back

 out of the ocean while Having to be very careful of his Beak (as the Loggerheads jaws are very

 powerful and could crush his hand or arm if near his mouth) back out of the water. 

This loggerhead was quickly transported by the NMB STP to the SC Sea Turtle Care center at the Aquarium

 in Charleston. To the heartbreak of many, this Loggerhead did not  survive. ( Could this beautiful

 endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle of survived if it had not been put back into the ocean, we will never

 know.)  

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD

 BE THE VOICE AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR ALL THE ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES

(Tell everyone you know)

IF A SEA TURTLE IS WASHED UP ON SHORE, DO NOT  PUT THEM BACK INTO THE OCEAN

(Sea Turtles will only come to shore if nesting, sick, injured or dead )

IF FISHING AND A SEA TURTLE IS CAUGHT BY HOOK, DO NOT THROW BACK INTO THE OCEAN, IF ON A PIER BRING UP WITH A NET, DO NOT PULL UP BY THE LINE.

(As pulling up the Turtle by line will cause more major injuries)

IF IN NMB: CHERRY GROVE PIER AND APACHE PIER HAVE NETS ESCPECIALLY MADE TO BRING UP SEA TURTLES WITHOUT CAUSING ANY MORE DAMAGE TO THE SEA TURTLE

IF YOU HOOK A SEA TURTLE DO NOT  PULL OUT THE HOOK, LEAVE AT LEASE 2 FEET OF LINE.

IF A NESTING SEA TURTLE COMES TO SHORE, LEAVE HER ALONE, DO NOT TOUCH OR SHINE LIGHTS, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. STAY AWAY FOM HER, LET HER NEST IN PIECE AS NATURE INTENDED.  

All Sea Turtles are Endangered. They are Federally and State Protected by Law

If in NMB or Briarcliff area please call anytime, day or night.

NMB SEA TURTLE PATROL HOTLINE

843-213-9074

STRANDING #2 DECEASED KEMPS RIDLEY SEA TURTLE May 16th 2020

 An early morning call came in from NMB STP volunteers Carolyn Bartel and Christine Gillian to Linda Mataya.

A small deceased Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle

(The most endangered of the Sea Turtles)

 

A very decomposed kemps Sea Turtle only about 11 !/2 inches.  Didn't have a chance as hooks were

 found in and around the mouth and entangled under his upper body flipper area.  Please never cut a line

 if fishing, and never put the Turtle back into the water. If in NMB or Briarcliff areas,

 Please call the NMB STP hotline

 

843-213-9074

Chuck writing up and taking measurements to report to DNR.

BOTH CHERRY GROVE PIER AND APACHE PIER HAVE THIS SIGN AND A DROP NET 

 ESPECIALLY MADE AND DONATED BY THE NMB STP TO BRING SEA TURTLES UP FROM 

 THE PIERS SAFLEY AND AS NOT TO CAUESE ANYMORE HARM

While this is such a very sad outcome for this endangered kemps Sea Turtle (Could the right action have saved this turtle, we will never know.) There are some very important ways and things we can all do that may to change an outcome of a hooked or stranded Sea Turtle.

  If in NMB beach or Briarcliff areas, Cherry Grove Pier or Apache Pier

please call the NMB STP hotline, 

843-213-9074

1)  NEVER PUT A LIVE OR DEAD SEA TURTLE BACK INTO THE WATER. A Sea Turtle will only come to shore if sick, injured or nesting. (if sick or injured, this time is crucial to get it the right help and care.)

2) NEVER CUT THE FISHING LINE AND THROW THE TURTLE BACK INTO THW WATER IF IT IS HOOKED OR STRANDED.

3)  NEVER PULL A HOOK OUT OF A SEA TURTLE (as this may cause damage to its internal organs)

4)  IF ON A PIER PLEASE DO NOT PULL UP THE TURTLE BY THE LINE.( this could also cause major damage to its internal organs). please us a drop net to bring the turtle up.  If in NMB both CHERRY GROVE PIER AND APACHE PIER HAVE DROP NETS, specially made for bringing up sea turtles that have been donated by the NMB STP.

5) PROPERLY  DISPOSE OF ANY  FISHING LINE AND HOOKS. 

6) PLEASE TAKE ALL TRASH OFF THE BEACH AND PIERS AS YOU LEAVE. ( as the trash will eventually end up in the ocean.

NMB Sea Turtle Nest #3

 What an exciting start to 2022 nesting season

Protected Sea Turtle Nest # 3

As Sundays STP Volunteers are out walking at sunrise, covering their segments looking for any signs of a Sea Turtle nest, Corrina was looking up the beach and spotted what she thought was a crawl. Excited,  she ran to see, YES a nice big crawl coming from the ocean, a very distinctive body pit and a nice big crawl back to the ocean. Corrina immediately called Permit holder Linda Mataya, who soon arrives along with other STP volunteers.

  

Flipper mark in sand as turtle makes a wide turn after finishing laying eggs and returning to the water

A close up picture of the crawl, The V shapes in the sand will identify the direction she is coming from and going to.

Probing is soon started, Chuck is able to find the egg cavity,  Linda carefully digs, the eggs are found.  

Because the nest is in an unsafe part of the beach, just about the HTL but in the middle of the wide, busy beach, the eggs  are carefully  relocated  back, at bottom of the dunes. 136 eggs were found, 1 used for DNA testing 135 were relocated to a safer part of the beach.

Not a common thing to find was a spacer egg, very small non-viable egg. While Loggerhead Sea Turtle eggs are about the size of a ping pong ball this is very small in comparison

A very big thank you to Corrina calling in this nest and  to all NMB Sea Turtle Volunteers who came to help.

NMB NEST #3

Thank you Corrina and Chris for the pictures.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SEA TURTLES ARE FEDERALLY AND STATE PROTECTED. 

If  in NMB or Briarcliff areas please call the NMB STP hotline immediately

Permit holder Linda Mataya

1-843-213-9074