Beach patrols are set to start this month in Atlantic Canada to locate and assist endangered sea turtles that might get stranded during the fall due to exposure to cold waters.
The Canadian Sea Turtle Network launched this initiative in 2016 after small, hard-shelled sea turtles, typically preferring warmer waters, started appearing along the Bay of Fundy coastline between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Kathleen Martin, the executive director of the Halifax-based network, noted that they realized this might not be a one-time event but potentially an annual one. With ocean waters warming, Martin anticipates various turtle species moving further north. She emphasized the need for more volunteers to monitor the coastlines across Atlantic Canada for sea turtles.
According to Martin, a turtle’s body temperature relies on the surrounding water. If the water becomes too cold, they can suffer from “cold-stunning,” leading to hypothermia, muscle stiffness, and loss of swimming ability. Martin stressed that if stranded turtles are found, they should not be returned to the water, as the cold temperatures could prove fatal.
She highlighted the importance of timely intervention to rehabilitate and relocate the turtles to warmer waters. Martin also mentioned the significance of studying deceased turtles to gather valuable insights.
The charitable organization is calling on volunteers to conduct weekly beach walks to search for stranded turtles. Maria Lisa Polegatto, a regular beach walker in Sydney, emphasized the need to contact the network for guidance upon finding a stranded turtle.
Volunteers are also assisting in tracking where sea turtles are found and estimating the number landing in Atlantic Canada. The network is actively recruiting volunteers in coastal communities throughout the Atlantic provinces.
Martin cited an unexpected case of a Kemp’s ridley turtle washing up on the Magdalen Islands during winter last year, underscoring the need for vigilance in monitoring sea turtle movements.
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