As we learned with Winter Storm Uri, cold fronts pose a lethal threat to our beloved marine life. While 557 dead sea turtles were the local causalities of that storm, this year volunteers were recruited, trained, and stood at the ready. When a 3-day cold front pushed the water temperature below the turtle’s tolerance of 46 degrees for more than 24 hours, volunteers sprang into action. The winds laid on Saturday February 5th and ten boats combed the bays rescuing 16 cold stunned turtles found floating in shallow water or pushed ashore. Two had already been injured by predators. Two others were found dead.

Most turtles were brought to the POC Coastal Fisheries dock where TPWD staff completed the data forms and contained the turtles for shipment to the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK). One turtle found along the upper Matagorda Peninsula shoreline by LNRA employee volunteers, Scott Hartl and Zachary Wittneberg, was taken to the Dickinson Marine Lab. Another turtle was brought in by John Humbert,
Seadrift resident, to Charlie’s and delivered directly to the ARK transport volunteers. TPWD staff and POC residents, Gloria and Bill Carlberg hauled the POC turtles to the meet-up point where they handed them to ARK transport volunteers. Bill and Gloria ended up transporting some of the turtles all the way to the rehab center in Port Aransas. Later on Saturday afternoon, a call came in from Allen Junek, nephew and namesake of POC resident Allen Junek, who found a cold stunned turtle while out fishing. Allen was provided training over the phone and ‘deputized’ to handle the turtle for transport. On the way in, Allen found another cold stunned turtle. This one was the largest found that day, almost 2 ½ feet. She was aptly and affectionately named “Big Sheila” by Austin Sury, TPWD. With the permission of the ARK coordinator, both of Junek turtles were kept overnight at the POC TPWD facility. They were transported on Sunday to Rockport by POC resident and Texas Master Naturalist Denise Crane where they were handed off to an ARK volunteer.

While we have not received a complete report of the final disposition of all 16 Mid-Coast turtles, we do know that “Big Sheila” and a few others were among the 106 turtles release on Tuesday, February 8th near Bob Hall Pier. Again, answering the call for help, Gloria and Bill Carlberg drove to Port A and helped transport and release these lucky critters.

While we hope there will be no more cold fronts this year, our newly formed Mid-Coast Cold Stunned Turtle Rescue Program passed its first test and again stands ready. Thanks go out to all those who participated and who signed up to help. Special thanks to Kelley Kowal and the TPWD staff.

Those who wish to join the program can contact Brigidberger61@gmail.com. Anyone who finds a stranded turtle, anytime of year can call 866-Turtle5 (866-887-8535) And don’t forget to download and report all turtle sightings using the iSeaTurtle.app.