Beach-Goers Asked To Be On The Lookout For Washback Turtles

Daytona Beach, FL – In the wake of Tropical Storm Eta, Ryan Chabot, Volusia County Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan Program Manager, says beach-goers should be on the lookout for "washback" sea turtles. Chabot says over the past week, there’s been quite a bit of sargassum algae, or seaweed, coming in on the beach. "That seaweed typically is formed to mats offshore. Those sargassum weed lines are havens for really small sea turtles. They use it for shelter from predators and they find food in them." Turtles that are washed back are usually worn out and likely haven’t eaten in a while, according to Chabot.  He says that’s why the instinctive thing to do, putting them back in the water, is not the right thing to do. "What we encourage folks to do is be on the lookout for these turtles. If they see them in the sargassum on the beach make sure the turtle is in a safe, quiet place and then either call our Volusia County Beach Safety Division or flag down a lifeguard." Chabot says while beach-goers should make sure that a found turtle is in a safe place, they really shouldn’t handle them or move them at all unless it’s to get them out of harm’s way. The best course of action is to contact Beach Safety, FWC, or the Marine Science Center. If you’d like to volunteer to look for the turtles, you can join the Washback Watcher program. Volunteers look for sea turtles among accumulations of seaweed along the beach. Training takes place in June or July each year. For more information, click here or contact Volusia County Environmental Management staff at 386-238-4716 or 238-4668.