GALVESTON, Texas — Tropical Storm Alberto is whipping up big waves in the Gulf of Mexico and that's bad news for green sea turtles.
The juveniles like to hang out on the jetties and feed on algae growing there. Unfortunately, strong waves and coastal flooding can cause the smaller sea turtles to be washed ashore or become trapped.
“So when high tides come in, when there’s storms like this one today, they might get wedged in those jetty rocks,” Paige Breon with the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research explained.
They're urging anyone who spots the trapped turtles to call 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).
“Once a sea turtle is wedged between the rocks, it’s impossible for them to get out without human help,” said Mary Kay Skoruppa, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sea Turtle Coordinator for Texas.
She said the juvenile sea turtles can develop pneumonia from inhaling water and infections from where the rocks have scraped their shells.
“It is important that individuals report them immediately so that trained responders can recover them and take them to a rehabilitation facility for medical treatment," Skoruppa said. “But while the urge to help a sea turtle might be strong, please refrain from any direct interaction. By reporting injured turtles promptly, you become a valuable part of their rescue and recovery.”
Experts say it's more likely to happen in coastal areas south of Galveston because of the way their jetties are designed.
Endangered green sea turtles are known as "nature's lawnmowers." They graze on seagrass beds which keep them healthy. In turn, the seagrass cover serves as a crucial habitat for a number of crustaceans, fish and other sea life.