Anglers At Ballast Point To Learn How To Help Distressed Sea Turtles

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Aquarium has partnered with the nonprofit Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and Parks & Recreation of Tampa to launch a Responsible Pier Initiative at Ballast Point Park in Tampa aimed at protecting endangered sea turtles.

Each year, thousands of sea turtles are unintentionally injured as a result of recreational fishing. With shoreline signage at 72 piers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the project helps provide critical information for the safety of sea turtles in distress.

Designed by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Responsible Pier Initiative is a collaborative tool that provides education and instruction to recreational fishers at fishing piers. The initiative also provides first-responders on the fishing pier with the resources to respond to injured or stranded sea turtles.

On Thursday, members of The Florida Aquarium’s sea turtle conservation team participated in educational training for anglers as well as a mock demonstration while at the park.

The signage installed at Ballast Point Park, a popular fishing spot in Tampa, outlines the proper actions required to assist a hooked or entangled turtles. Contact information is also provided for the local responders including The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Rescue Line and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.

“Sea turtles are an important keystone species that help maintain healthy ecosystems, and they are a primary focus of our conservation efforts,” said Dr. Debi Luke, senior vice president of conservation at The Florida Aquarium. “These endangered species need us all working together for their survival, and we are proud to support this critically important initiative in our community.”