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IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING PINS !

Article from a Rio Grande Valley Newspaper

Drivers Reportedly Adding to Risks for Endangered Species
Wednesday , June 04, 2008 Posted: 05:04 PM

Endangered Turtles; Reptiles nesting on SPI

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - Drivers are reportedly putting endangered Ridley Sea Turtles at risk. The reptiles are nesting on South Padre Island. NEWS CHANNEL 5 learned drivers aren't spotting the animals and running
them down. U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials are asking drivers to slow down and keep their eyes open. We're told killing one turtle could prevent the birth of hundreds of more. Biologist Jody Mays says, "The person that removed the eggs (from the turtle) said that there were follicles in her ovaries, which would indicate that this was not her last clutch. She was going to have another." Once a turtle nests, the eggs are taken to a safe place by biologists and nurtured until they hatch. But people have also created an obstacle there. They've been tampering with the corral, which is often used as a safe place for the eggs.


The below e-mail received last nite is from an absolutely 100% truthful source:

Billy:

There was a second fatality of a nesting Kemp's on South Padre. Also, someone broke into their corral and removed the corralitos (little screens that trap the hatchlings so that they do not get eaten by crabs).

I also wanted to pass along that one of our patrollers stopped to inform some beach users about nesting on a nesting day a little over a week ago. He was fishing and said that either he or some one he knows cover up tracks when they see them in hopes that the turtle patrollers will then not be able to find them, because of their fear regarding future beach access. He mentioned one instance when they did it but the turtle patroller came up and found the turtle.

Years ago I heard that people fishing were not reporting nesting because of the same fear. It would be unfortunate if it is true and does not help matters. There is no doubt that turtles are nesting in increasing numbers and they are not going away. The best thing now is for the patrollers to find the nesters through either their own observations or reports, so that we do not have fatalities like on South Padre this year.


Another e-mail received last nite.06 June, 08

First Leatherback Turtle nest found in Texas in Decades found 06 June, 08

This morning an update was sent that a Leatherback Turtle nest was located at Padre Island National Seashore today. This is the first leatherback nest recorded on the Texas coast since the 1930's. The only other leatherback nests that have been recorded on the Texas coast were from the 1920's and 1930's at what was later designated as Padre Island National Seashore. The historic leatherback nests were from the Little and Big Shell area of the National Seashore and this nest was located in that vicinity.

Another e-mail from last nite:

Billy,

As my earlier notification indicated, a leatherback nest was found at the park today. On the same note with the beach driving issue, people need to slow down at night too for the other four sea turtle species that have been documented nesting here, that nest mostly at night.

A nesting loggerhead was killed when she was struck by a vehicle on the Bolivar Peninsula several years ago.

Who knows whether this turtle was just passing through after nesting elsewhere or whether she indeed will return. They typically do not emerge far from the water for nesting and they need a deepwater approach and high surf to help wash them onto the beach. The conditions were likely optimal early this morning with our very high tides and heavy surf. All Texas records are from or near Little and Big Shell, so look extra closely there for huge tracks that do not come out of the water very far. If she is coming back it could be in 8-12 days.

Now for my personal statement:

There is no one who loves being able to drive on PINS more than me on this planet. It’s simple enough and I can justify the statement in a one liner.

IF THERE WAS THEY WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP ANY CHANCE OF EVER HAVING ANY FINANCIAL SECURITY WHATSOEVER AND BE GUIDING JUST SO THEY COULD BE DOWN THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE; JUST AS I DID IN 1989.

I am so proud of the conservation ethic exhibited by beach fishermen and particularly the shark fishermen of today BUT while we go into a rage at ol’ pics of huge dead sharks hung for ego and display only and quickly condemn these acts as unacceptable we continue to drive at high rates of speeds on PINS.

Regardless of whom or what is threatened by this inappropriate behavior. Just as the ol’ time shark fishermen killed large sharks without regard(relating to a discussion on http://www.ExtremeCoast.com). As far as this fisherman telling a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TURTLE TECHNICIAN that fishermen were intentionally hiding turtle tracks from them to preserve their privilege of driving on the beach I am absolutely stunned. Sounds like "whiskey talk" to me BUT do you realize the damage that conversation does in jeopardizing our continued privilege of not only driving on PINS beaches BUT MAYBE EVEN ALL TEXAS BEACHES during Sea Turtle Nesting Season?

IF WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON PINS IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT WE CHANGE OUR BEHAVIORS CONCERNING SPEEDING ON THE BEACH. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE S-L-O-W DOWN, AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THAT ENVIRONMENT AND THAT WE DO ANY AND EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AID THE TURTLE RECOVERY PROGRAM.

You know as well as I do that if these negative acts continue PINS will HAVE to do something to stop them. I just found a good deal on a suburban to use as a full time beach truck so I don’t have to pull the panga and do beach charters with just one. Going to have to borrow the money to buy it. Sure hope I have a place to use it.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer Guide PINS and your biggest supporter.

Big Shell Beach Cleanup 09 Date
The date for Big Shell Beach Cleanup 09 is set for the 14th of March 2009. That is the second Saturday in March, We'll be there rain or shine so please spread the word! If your interested in helping sponsor the event please email Billy at billysandifer@stx.rr.com.

08 Kemp's Ridley Nesting Report

Check Out this years RECORD SETTING Kemp's ridley Turtle nesting report. This is the listings of all the nests found thus far in 2008 on the Texas Gulf Coast. The list is updated as often as the data is sent from the Parks Service, so check
back frequently!
Click here for details

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