Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing an adult female loggerhead sea turtle back into the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 10:00 am Eastern Time across from Salinas Park, Port St. Joe, Florida. The address for the park is 380 Cape San Blas Road, Port Saint Joe, Florida 32456. The release will be across the street to the south, into the Gulf of Mexico (note, not into St. Joseph Bay). The sea turtle being released is an adult female loggerhead who was accidentally hooked by a recreational fisherman at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier in Santa Rosa County back on May 27, 2022.
This is not Jaime’s first time in rehabilitation after accidentally being caught at a pier; it is actually her 4th time! You may recognize her name from a release event back in February of 2020. She has also spent a few times in rehab at another facility in the Panhandle. For this event, Jaime’s hooks were removed successfully; she had one in her mouth and one in her intestines, which she eventually relieved herself of under daily careful monitoring by the staff and volunteers.
Jaime has been medically cleared by GWMI veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please remember that all sea turtle release events are subject to change in the event of poor weather conditions. In addition to the organizations listed above, GWMI would like to thank the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Center Stranding Response team members who facilitated Jaime’s rescue, the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, and the member of the public who hooked Jaime, and got her the help she needed. A thank you also to FWC and GWMI staff and volunteers for their dedication to the rehabilitation program.
POSTED IN: COMMUNITY NEWS
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