Cold weather leads to increase in sea turtle strandings along new jersey shores

Cold weather leads to increase in sea turtle strandings along New Jersey shores

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1 min read
November 27, 2024

BRIGANTINE, N.J. — As temperatures drop and water conditions cool, New Jersey’s Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) is warning residents about an increase in sea turtle strandings along the state’s beaches. The phenomenon, known as “cold-stunning,” leaves sea turtles immobile and at risk of death due to prolonged exposure to cold water.

The MMSC, along with Sea Turtle Recovery (STR), urges beachgoers to remain vigilant during their holiday outings. “Cold-stunning can make it very difficult to tell if a sea turtle is alive or dead, so please STILL CALL even if you think the animal is deceased,” the center advised.

The public is encouraged to save the MMSC 24-hour hotline (609-266-0538) and the STR hotline (609-667-4076) on their phones to report any sightings of sea turtles in distress. Officials caution against attempting to warm up a turtle, as this could harm the animal further. Instead, they advise waiting for instructions after contacting one of the two authorized agencies.

“Every call can save a life,” the MMSC said in a statement, emphasizing the importance of quick action to ensure these endangered animals receive appropriate medical care.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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