Changes Needed for the Kemp’s Ridleys!

By July 26, 2008Sea Turtles

The last 2008 Kemp’s ridley nest found on the Texas coast was marked by hatchlings coming from a nest on Bolivar Peninsula no one had seen before trying to get to the Gulf. In the process, several were run over and killed.  This points out the fact that more patrols and much more public awareness are needed.  Representing thousands of citizens who have supported the recovery of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle for 30 years, the Sea Turtle Restoration Project asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide funding and staffing for patrols and protection of nesters and hatchlings. We have been very fortunate that the Galveston facility of National Marine Fisheries Service has stretched its manpower to respond to calls from the public regarding sea turtles from the Louisiana border to Freeport.  With the obvious increase in Kemp’s ridley nesters, they must have help.  We also request that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department assist in providing research funds for more patrolling on the upper Texas coast.     Of the 193 nests found this year on the Texas Coast, 91 of them were located at the Padre Island National Seashore. The massive daily patrol program provided by federal staff and volunteers at the Padre Island National Seashore has proven once again that more vigilance results in finding more sea turtles and their nests and keeping them safe. It is time for the upper Texas Coast to receive equal attention from both federal and state agencies.