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Gulfarium CARE Center gets $13,391 grant for sea turtle rescue vehicle

The grant, funded by Florida Sea Turtle License Plate proceeds, enables purchase of a utility task vehicle with specialized hoist to aid in rescuing sea turtles affected by fishing gear along the Emerald Coast.
Source: Gulfarium CARE Center

The Gulfarium CARE Center has strengthened its sea turtle rescue capabilities with a new utility task vehicle (UTV) funded by a $13,391.40 grant from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program.

  • The specialized vehicle, equipped with a custom hoist, will help staff respond to distressed sea turtles, particularly those affected by hook-and-line incidents near the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.

The upgrade comes at a crucial time, as the CARE Center has seen a significant rise in rescue calls. Staff responded to nearly 100 calls in 2023, with that number jumping to 168 calls already this year from the fishing pier alone.

Volunteers (Bob and Ralph) assisted in assembling the hoist for the UTV, which was fully funded through the Sea Turtle License Plate Grant.

The Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program, supported by proceeds from the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate sales, helps protect the state’s sea turtles and their habitats. Those interested in supporting sea turtle conservation can visit helpingseaturtles.org.

Anyone who spots a sea turtle in distress should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

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“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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