Gulf Specimen marine Lab seeks donations for expanded sea turtle rehab area

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium in Panacea is asking for the public’s help to expand the aquarium’s sea turtle rehab area.

The Gulf Specimen marine Lab has seen a 600% increase in the number of injured turtles they are caring for and are trying to collect $30,000 to expand the sea turtle rehab area.

In early 2015 Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory and Aquarium joined the Responsible Pier Initiative and put up signs urging fishermen to notify the lab if they accidentally hooked a sea turtle.

The number of hooked sea turtles treated at the lab went from an average of 3 a year to 17 in 2015.

All of the turtles we have rescued because of the Responsible Pier Initiative were juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, the most critical endangered of all sea turtles.

In 2015 The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab rescued more Kemp’s Ridleys than any other centre in Florida.

The success of the program has made it clear that their quarantine unit is unable to meet the demand.

30 thousand dollars will allow the lab to double its capacity.

If you would like to help with a donation, there is a website set up where you can make your donation.

We’ve posted the link on this story at oysterradio.com and on the oyster radio facebook page.





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