The Florida Park Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) released 56 loggerhead turtles at Sebastian Inlet State Park last month. The three-year-old turtles, weighing approximately 50 pounds each, are graduates of an innovative National Marine Fisheries Service program. “The Indian River Lagoon is an ideal location for released sea turtles to enter the Atlantic Ocean,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “By releasing all 56 turtles at this state park, we can ensure they have safe access to pristine, protected habitats.”

The turtles helped marine scientists test the effectiveness of a commercial fishing apparatus known as the Turtle Excluder Device (TED). It is a metal grid of bars attached to a shrimp trawling net. It has an opening at either the top or the bottom, which creates a hatch allowing larger animals such as sea turtles to escape while keeping shrimp inside. In 1987, the U.S. implemented regulations that require shrimpers to use TEDs on their trawlers.

Of the seven sea turtle species worldwide, Florida’s waters are home to five, including the leatherback, green and loggerhead turtle. These three threatened and endangered species nest on the state’s beaches during the summer months. This year, the shores of Sebastian Inlet State Park holds more than 300 loggerhead nests, more than seven green turtle nests and one leatherback nest. Two museums provide a history of the area and three miles of pristine beaches provide opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, shelling and sunbathing. The Indian River Lagoon is ideal for canoeing, kayaking and cruises by Pelican Island, the first national wildlife refuge in the U.S.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 159 parks spanning more than 725,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. They offer swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails.

For more information, visit the website: www.floridastateparks.org.