7 Terrapin Turtles Found Dead On LI Beach: 'It Broke My Heart'

SOUTHOLD, NY — Seven drowned turtles were found on a Southold beach Sunday, most likely caught in a crab trap, animal advocates say.

Karen Testa, executive director of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, said Heidi Lopez, a volunteer from the turtle rescue, as well as a New York State Environmental Conservation officer, headed to the scene on South Harbor Beach in Southold Sunday.

"It looks like a crab trap drowning, which is a shame," Testa said. "It looks they were all females, and it will take 10 years to replace each."

Lopez said Testa contacted her about the turtles. She headed to the site and spoke with beach goers, who'd found the turtles. One turtles was small, about 6 inches; the other were large terrapins, about 10 to 12 inches long, she said. "They were all dead," she said.

DEC Officer Emilio Zullo also arrived, taking photos for his report.

Lopez said all agreed that the deaths were likely due to a crab trap.

Some crab traps have bycatch reduction devices that attach to funnels, so that terrapins and other marine life do not get trapped in crab pots.

"If they get trapped, they can't breathe," Lopez said.

Due to the winds on Sunday, it was unclear from which direction the turtles had come, Lopez said.

"It broke my heart," Lopez said, of the drowned turtles. "It was so sad."

Testa urged caution: "Please legalize your crab traps and install a humane turtle excluder device (TED), to prevent unnecessary drownings."

The fact that it can take 10 years to replace females, a keystone species that helps define an ecosystem, means precautions are critical, Testa added.

"Also, clean up your fishing gear or any loose buoys and lines — as entanglement is a death sentence," Testa said.

Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons has free TED doors at the rescue, which is located at 111 Manor Lane in Jamesport and open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.