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8. Go slow
when boating in shallow areas and stay on the lookout for turtles at all times.Boat
collisions can be just as life threatening for an aquatic turtle as can be accidents
involving terrestrial motor vehicles. Hull and propeller strikes are responsible
for countless chelonian deaths and serious injuries every year. Sea turtles are
especially prone to boat-inflicted traumas. The Leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, Green,
Hawksbill, and Loggerhead sea turtles that frequent Texas
waters are often too distracted by foraging and mating activities to escape oncoming
vessels. Even when alerted to the speeding danger approaching them, sea turtles
may be unable to avoid boat collisions if the vehicle is moving too quickly (swimming
sea turtles top off at around 25 mph) or the water is too shallow for the turtle
to dive below the looming danger. If an aquatic turtle is not immediately killed
by the impact of a sea-going vessel, their injuries usually cause them to float
at the surface. Drifting aimlessly in pain across the water, these boating victims
often succumb to starvation, exposure, predation, or additional boat strikes.
If you find a sea turtle that you suspect is a victim of such a collision, immediately
call 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). For non-sea-turtle emergencies, you can
find a local wildlife rehabilitator by county at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/rehab/list/
or call 713-548-4718 for referrals.
In addition to causing direct harm
to protected turtles, boaters in shallow areas may damage the food supply for
these sea-faring behemoths. Sea grass beds gracefully sway in the ebb and flow
of the ocean currents along the flats draping the Texas
Gulf Coast. These shallow aquatic fields of verdure serve as fertile grazing
grounds for the Green sea turtles that grace our Texas
waters. Vessels tearing through these sea grass beds risk not only expensive repairs
to their scraped hulls and twisted propellers, but also destruction of an extremely
delicate and crucial habitat in the Gulf
Coast ecosystem.
So, the next time you’re out cruising the reservoir
or angling for redfish on the flats, keep your eyes peeled for chelonians similarly
enjoying Texas’ waterways and give them the right
of way. |
 |
| These sea turtles
in refuge at The Turtle Hospital (Marathon, FL http://www.turtlehospital.org)
suffer from a condition commonly referred to as “bubble butt.” The impact from
a boat strike can push air from a turtle’s lungs into their body cavity, where
the air is permanently trapped and acts like an internal flotation device, preventing
the turtle from diving. | | |
