Florida is famous for its beautiful beaches and what seems like an endless array of sunshine. Every year millions of people travel here to enjoy both. They also come to see a wide variety of wildlife and marine life. One popular creature of interest is the sea turtle. From May 1st through October 31st the Loggerhead turtle makes its way to the beaches of Sand Key State Park to lay their eggs. The 20 mile stretch of beaches along Sand Key and Clearwater Beach are ideal for the Loggerhead turtle looking to dig their holes and lay approximately 100 to 150 eggs.
However, the Loggerhead is also presented with some challenges after their young are hatched and make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. One hurdle for them is pollution in the Gulf’s waters. This can be caused by illegal dumping of trash, floating debris that has traveled miles to our waters, and can also be caused by derelict boats left in the Intercoastal. These old boats can leak hazardous chemicals into the waters, endangering marine life. The Loggerhead is one creature that is vulnerable to pollution. It’s imperative that we do all we can to rid the waters of these leaking boats.
At A-C-T, we have partnered with DiveCom on several different projects to help remove these derelict boats from the Intercoastal waters of central Florida. Old lead acid batteries, diesel fuel, fire extinguishers, engine oils, etc. have been removed from the waters and disposed of in a responsible manner. We are proud to be a part of the “solution to pollution” and giving our beautiful Loggerhead turtles a real chance at survival!
