The last 2008 Kemp's ridley nest found on the Texas coast was marked by hatchlings coming from a nest on Bolivar Peninsula no one had seen before trying to get to the Gulf. In the process, several were run over and killed. This points out the fact that more patrols and
much more public awareness are needed. Representing thousands of citizens who have
supported the recovery of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle for 30 years, the Sea
Turtle Restoration Project asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide
funding and staffing for patrols and protection of nesters and hatchlings. We
have been very fortunate that the Galveston facility of National Marine
Fisheries Service has stretched its manpower to respond to calls from the
public regarding sea turtles from the Louisiana border to Freeport. With the
obvious increase in Kemp's ridley nesters, they must have help. We also request
that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department assist in providing research funds for
more patrolling on the upper Texas coast. Of the 193 nests found this year
on the Texas Coast, 91 of them were located at the Padre Island National
Seashore. The
massive daily patrol program provided by federal staff and volunteers at the
Padre Island National Seashore has proven once again that more vigilance results
in finding more sea turtles and their nests and keeping them safe. It is time for the upper Texas Coast to receive equal attention from
both federal and state agencies.
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