Voluntourism Vacation Opportunities

Does that sound like something you would be interested in; maybe a vacation to help save the sea turtles? President Obama said we all need to help one another make a better future. I believe that also includes saving our planet, which includes the wildlife. I just happened to run across this article that I found interesting, maybe you will too.

Kermit Released

Kermit, a green sea turtle was released this afternoon and you can now track him online. He was rehabilitated at The Virginia Aquarium, after being found on the beach with trash lodged in his throat. People just don't realize how dangerous the trash left behind, can be. Kermit was the second turtle found, in a one month period of time, with pieces of fishing line, hard plastic, soft plastic, and balloon pieces lodged in their throats. If these turtles hadn't been found they would have died. To read the full story....

Sea Turtles In The Pacific Are At Risk

The Fisheries Service has admitted that loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles in the Pacific face a significant risk of extinction unless we reduce the number of turtles killed by commercial fisheries. Unfortunately, rather than take action to better protect sea turtles, the agency is proposing measures that would actually increase the number of turtles killed.

To read more about this topic and to perhaps help the turtles get greater protection, not less; the Fisheries Service is accepting public comment on the proposal for 45 days.

Update on Gulf Fishery Management Council Decision

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met yesterday to consider new laws that would combine seasonal restrictions on longline grouper fishing and a gradual reduction in the number of fleets that will be allowed to operate.

The council decided to leave the current moratorium in place until they have time to review newly released data before making a final decision. They also want to be sure they have time to make the best plan that is available.

Unless the council takes action, the moratorium will expire in October, but the regulators have a one-time option to continue it for another six months if no permanent management plan is approved by that time.

Turtle Walk #7

Today is another very warm one, with almost no air moving. There was only a very slight breeze on the beach, early this morning and it was very humid as the temperature was climbing.

It was already light out as we walked out onto the beach. I could see a lot of people already out, in both directions.

There was some Manatee Grass at a high tide line, but you can easily avoid it. Where it was in a deeper pile, it did have a little odor, but not enough to be a bother. The noseeums were, "The Bother", today. I had bug spay on and still had to keep moving or they would find me. Grrrr! How can such a tiny little black speck cause so much misery?



The water was very calm today and clear. There were small shells that were scattered on the beach, near the water's edge and you could see some shells through the water.

We hurried on down the beach, to see the new nest that was found in our zone a few days ago. The tracks left as it made it's trip from and back to the water were still plain to see. :-) The nest is toward the back side of a Snowy Plover nesting area.



Best viewed in HD on YouTube by clicking the screen below.


The low tide had left some nice long tidal pools.



The sunrise was making the sky beautiful with bright shades of blues and pinks.






There were a lot of holes on the beach this morning, from 1 to 2 feet deep.

There was something on the beach that I hadn't seen before. Shelling and pulling a cart along, with a plastic box on it. I suppose that would be handy if you found lots of shells. You could then pull it back to your abode and simply spray the shells with water to get the sand off, without needing to take them out. Then you could dump them into a bucket for soaking or just let them dry. There would have to be LOTS of shells to make it worthwhile for me to drag it around. No more than I pick up, these days I can simply stick them in my pocket.


There was a fishing boat floating, just off shore. A man waded out and climbed onboard, while his wife waved goodbye from the beach and wished him good luck.










Sanibel Stoopers were out in force.



We saw the Plover family with the 3 chicks. Mom and Dad were still keeping a very watchful eye on them. The other Plover family that had the 2 chicks seemed to have lost both of them.



The temperature today has reached 91, but as of 3:00 this afternoon, it has dropped a couple of degrees. Hopefully the evening will be much more pleasant.