Sea turtle strandings in New England have surged at an alarming rate, prompting swift action from Congress to aid the imperiled reptiles. Legislation known as the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act is on the verge of passage, aiming to establish a new $33 million federal grant program. This initiative would fund institutions nationwide dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and researching stranded sea turtles, offering a much-needed lifeline as climate change contributes to the rise in cold-stunned turtles washing ashore in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The numbers tell a stark story. In 2000, fewer than 50 sea turtles were found stranded on Cape Cod, but by 2022, that figure skyrocketed to 866, according to Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. Markey emphasizes the urgency of the situation, noting that all six species of sea turtles in the U.S. are either threatened or endangered. “Turtles face extinction and environmental wipeout without assistance,” warned Markey, the primary sponsor of the bill.
The plight of these ancient mariners has largely been shouldered by underfunded and volunteer efforts. “Our current rescue efforts are largely volunteer and underfunded, forcing our aquariums to shell out to keep our shelled friends safe,” stated Markey. “We will not let these rescue and rehabilitation organizations, much less sea turtles, sink.”
Statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reflect the growing crisis. Two decades ago, the annual average of cold-stunned turtles in Massachusetts was 139. Over the last five years, that average has ballooned to 739. Such a spike highlights the pressing need for comprehensive support and funding.
The pivotal sea turtle act advanced on the Senate’s calendar following its unanimous approval by the commerce, science, and transportation committee on July 31. A related measure, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, had already passed the House of Representatives earlier in the year. Both proposals have garnered bipartisan backing, with Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas co-sponsoring the Senate bill.
Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles are unable to regulate their body temperatures, a condition exacerbated by changing ocean temperatures. Consequently, hundreds of these vulnerable turtles have found themselves stranded on Massachusetts shores in recent years. The New England Aquarium, which operates a Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts, has been at the forefront of treating these turtles, sometimes providing months of care before they can be released back into their marine habitats.
Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the New England Aquarium, has voiced strong support for the legislation. “Providing more assistance to organizations that care for stranded turtles would have a significant impact on the continuation of this collaborative conservation work and the resulting research to solve ocean challenges,” she stated poignantly last year. By bolstering the resources for these critical rescue efforts, the proposed act seeks to ensure the survival and recovery of sea turtles in the face of mounting environmental threats.
