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ABOUT STST
Welcome to the auxilliary website of Help Endangered Animals, Ridley Turtles (HEART). This website contains information and resources for our members and those who are curious about Kemp's ridley turtles in Texas.
Top News Stories
News Release: STRP asks Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for More Sea Turtle Protection
Carole Allen, Gulf Office Director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project asked the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its August 20 meeting in Houston to provide more protection and funding for sea turtle patrols and nesters on the entire Texas coast. She called attention to the increase of Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests from only six in 1996 to 195 in 2008 stating that one of the most important factors is the 8 1/2-month no-shrimping closure of the five nautical mile zone in South Texas waters that the Commission approved in 2000. Read entire release...
Action Alert- Matching Donations Needed!
Houston Attorney Challenges Public to Support Beach Patrols
Well known Houston attorney Joe Jamail has pledged a donation of $25,000 if the public can match it. He made this generous challenge after learning the state and federal grant money used to conduct nesting patrols was slashed from $71,000 to $25,000. Read more about the challenge and please dont forget to DONATE!
Take Action to Keep Turtle Protections in Place!
Since 2004, the U.S. government has protected imperiled sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and by closure of the widely lethal Swordfish Fishery. Now, however, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of allowing up to 20 boats to set up to 1.5 million hooks each year on 30 to 60-mile fishing lines. This action could have potentially deadly consequences to wildlife. See entire story & take action...
Kemp's ridleys Shatter Nesting Record Again!
This year 197 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 7, Galveston Island 6 , Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1, Surfside Beach 2, Quintana Beach 1, Bryan Beach 0, Matagorda Peninsula 0, Matagorda Island 13, San Jose Island 5, Mustang Island 5, North Padre Island 103, including 92 at Padre Island National Seashore, South Padre Island 40, Boca Chica Beach 12.
The number exceeds the previous record of 128 Kemp's ridley nests found in Texas set during 2007. This also marks the fifth consecutive year that record numbers of Kemp's ridley nests have been recorded in Texas since record keeping began in 1980. Read more...
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