Threatened species washes up on Raritan Bay Shores
by By DENISE REINLE
Posted:09/03/09

Residents of Port Monmouth spotted a sea turtle carcasses covered with barnacles on Sunday, August 30 at the Monmouth Cove Marina in Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey shore.

The Port Monmouth Sea Turtle had not been reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center until Wednesday. The carcass was later identified to be a Loggerhead sea turtle and listed as threatened, according to the MMSC. So far this year over 15 Loggerhead turtles have been reported to wash up on Jersey shores and calls were still coming into MMSC at press time.

"It is common this time of year for dead Loggerhead turtles to wash up on our shores. Some (turtles) are hit by propellers or human interactions. For many others we never really get answers to what happened to them," said Brandi Biehl, field stranding technician for MMSC.

Joe Reynolds, professional Environmental Educator and member of the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission, said, "Occasionally there are Sea Turtles washing up on the Jersey shores and most die from ingesting plastic, garbage and jellyfish."
 
Unfortunately, not everybody realizes that there are sea turtles around us and if they did, maybe our waters would be cleaner, according to Reynolds.

A Loggerhead sea turtle grows up to 800 lbs (364 kg) and 3.5 feet and they are named for their disproportionately large head, according to Wikipedia. Reportedly loggerheads can live for longer than 30 years, and can often live past 198.7 years.

The state's Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, responds to calls for stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that wash ashore on New Jersey beaches. For information or to report any stranded animal call 609-266-0538.
 
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