The New York Marine Rescue Center and the South Fork Natural History Museum are teaming up to host a training course on how to identify and rescue cold-stunned sea turtles.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries agency, cold-stunning is "a condition in which sea turtles become very weak and inactive from exposure to cold temperatures," typically occurring when water temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which can occur in Long Island Sound and nearby waters. "Cold-stunned turtles become lethargic and are eventually unable to swim, causing them to float at the surface," NOAA says on its website. "Wind and/or tides may wash them ashore. If temperatures remain low or turtles are not rescued, they can develop secondary health problems or die."
The workshop, planned for Saturday, will happen in two parts. First, from 10 to 11 a.m., SoFo will host a lecture at its nature center on the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. Then, from noon to 1:30 p.m., there will be field training at Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack. The course allows a participant to become an official "cold stun patrol team member" to aid in the rescue of affected turtles.
The free program is for adults 18 and up; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Advance sign-up is required and can be done by calling 631-537-9735 or visiting the calendar page at sofo.org.
