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Turtle nest count increases for fourth year
Published August 1, 2009
QUINTANA — Experts say the future of Kemp’s ridleys sea turtles is looking brighter after they found a record number of nests on beaches locally and statewide.
The discovery of turtle nests last week — including one on Quintana beach — pushed this year’s number to 198 nests found, surpassing last year’s count of 195, the previous state record for the endangered turtle.
It’s the fourth consecutive year a record number of nests were found.
This year’s total includes nine turtle nests in the search area that encompasses Brazoria County beaches, which also is a record, said Jennifer Sanchez, who is mid-coast National Wildlife Refuge manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.
“It definitely shows that the nesting population is increasing, which is putting more turtles out there,” Sanchez said. “It’s an endangered species, so this should lead toward recovery.”
Before 2008’s then-record of 195 nests found, wildlife officials recorded 127 Kemp’s ridleys nests in Texas in 2007 and 102 in 2006. Each of those were state records.
Sanchez believes the turtle’s nesting numbers are increasing because of the hard work of agencies and volunteers determined to save the endangered species.
Officials declared them endangered in the 1960s after numbers dipped. The turtles commonly would get caught in fishing and shrimping nets.
“We’ve been collecting these nests and ensuring that these young turtles make it safely back into the Gulf of Mexico, and I think that what we’re seeing is the good things that have happened from this program over the last 30 years.”
Kemp’s ridley eggs are placed in cartons with a little bit of the sand in which they were buried, then taken to a nesting center in Padre Island. Eggs incubate for 50 to 60 days before experts at the nesting center release them into the Texas Gulf Coast waters.
Carole Allen, Sea Turtle Restoration Project gulf office director, was happy with the good year.
“We are very encouraged with the continuing nesting of the Kemp’s ridleys on the Texas coast,” she said.
While officials believe the nesting period, which usually runs from May to July, is winding down, they still are uncovering young turtles just starting their trek from the sandy surfaces of Texas beaches to the saltwater, Sanchez said.
Anyone who finds a Kemp’s ridley making its way to the water should not attempt to touch or move it, Sanchez said. Instead, they are advised to call the turtle line at (409) 771-2872.
Nathaniel Lukefahr covers coastal communities for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 237-0151.
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ENDANGERED SPECIES
Kemp’s ridleys sea turtles are considered the smallest marine turtle in the world, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. They weigh about 100 pounds as adults and nest on the Mexico and Texas coasts.
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