provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Human-driven threats — including boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, plastic pollution, and coastal light pollution — remain the leading causes of injuries for sea turtles, experts said during a recent public panel held at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel Island.
Moderated by Brittnay Laster, Education & Outreach Coordinator at CROW, the panel brought together Dr. Rodney Schnellbacher, ACZM, a veterinarian at CROW; Dr. Ashlee Flanagan, a veterinarian at Mote Marine Laboratory; Julie Toma, a wildlife rehabilitation Manager at CROW; and Savannah Weber, a Sea Turtle Biologist at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), who shared firsthand perspectives from the front lines of sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation.
“Many of the injuries we see are preventable,” said Dr. Schnellbacher. “Simple actions — like slowing down your boat or properly disposing of fishing line — can make a direct difference in whether a turtle lives or dies.”
Programs like Mind Your Line, a collaborative effort among Sanibel-Captiva conservation organizations, specifically address one of the most common threats to sea turtles: discarded fishing line. Entanglement can lead to severe injuries, infections, or death, making proper disposal critical for protecting these vulnerable marine animals.
Turtle season officially runs from May 1 to Oct. 31 on Sanibel.
“The timing was perfect,” said Laster. “CROW was able to share important information about the charismatic sea turtles that call Florida’s waters home.”
Panelists emphasized that human activity remains a primary driver of sea turtle strandings and injuries. Artificial lighting along beaches was identified as a major concern, often disorienting hatchlings and reducing their survival rates.
“Sea turtles are incredibly resilient animals,” said Dr. Flanagan. “With the right care, we’re able to treat conditions like red tide toxicity and trauma, and many of these turtles can be released back into the wild.
Speakers also highlighted the Gulf Coast’s importance as a critical habitat, particularly for the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.
“What happens here has a direct impact on the future of the species,” said Weber.
The panel provided insight into the rehabilitation process, from intake and medical evaluation to long-term treatment and release. Toma emphasized the complexity of caring for these animals in a controlled environment.
“Our goal is always to return turtles to the wild,” she said. “That means not only treating their injuries but helping them regain the strength and behaviors they need to survive in their natural habitat.”
Panelists also shared updates on CROW’s Harkey Sea Turtle Complex, which is gearing up to begin patient care once final permitting is received. The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the only sea turtle rehabilitation center between Sarasota and the Florida Keys.
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