Cold Stun 2026

Florida Panhandle Marine Institute cold stun update – This weekend’s cold snap brought in over 300 more cold-stunned sea turtles! When the inshore water temperatures, particularly in St. Joseph Bay and Crooked Island Sound, drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended time, these massive influxes can occur. The FPMI team continues to work with the team at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab , to ensure these chilly turtles are receiving the safest, most efficient care and recovery efforts possible.

A special thanks to Compassion Vet for consulting on special cases, as well as all of the field survey teams for braving the cold each day! U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) , MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , Tyndall Air Force Base Natural Resources Department, Eglin Air Force Base Natural Resources Department, Florida Coastal Conservancy , Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol, Gulf and East Bay Sea Turtle Patrol, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, Florida State Parks, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, St. Joseph Bay Buffer Preserve, and NOAA Fisheries Service. It clearly takes a village!

Right now, Florida Panhandle Marine Institute is operating between permanent facilities, but that doesn’t mean the work stops. And that work takes time, energy, and funds. If you’d like to support FPMI as we transition between “homes”, especially during this busy winter season, please click the link below to donate! We appreciate all of your continued support for our program!

To donate, visit https://floridapanhandlemarineinstitute.com/donate/

All sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation work are conducted under appropriate FWC Marine Turtle Permits.