Bay County lifeguards rescue sea turtle

Yesterday was definitely a crazy #TurtleThursday for the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute team!

As the afternoon rolled in with storms on the horizon, we got the call of sea turtle hooked at the M.B. Miller County Pier. Thanks to quick efforts of the Bay County lifeguards and Fire Rescue teams, this subadult loggerhead was retrieved safely for FPMI recovery. Known by FPMI as Colin Bridgerton (originally treated and released by our team back in 2023), Colin had not only swallowed a hook, but they also had fragments of others in their left front flipper.

Was our day of turtles finished? Nope! Not long after stabilizing Colin and arranging transport plans, we got a new report from the Russell-Fields City Pier. This turtle was thrashing around in the surf with rope around its neck. And once again, our local human rescuers stepped up! The Panama City Beach lifeguards, along with code enforcement and City Pier staff, were able to safely recover this new turtle and escort her to shore on their paddleboards. She, an adult female Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was not carrying a rope around her neck. It was, in fact, a rubber connection to a lost speargun, and it was tight! Once the FPMI Stranding Coordinator assessed the depth of the wound, the rubber tubing was cut away from the neck. She took a deep breath, likely the first strong one she had taken since getting entangled.

Both turtles were stabilized overnight, and were safely transferred to a partner rehabilitation facility this morning! Both cases highlight our fantastic local lifeguard teams, our beach safety crews, and the importance of local partnerships. The second turtle’s case also highlights the importance of removing marine debris from our environment. The speargun, which was covered in barnacles and other growth, had likely been underwater for some time before the turtle had stuck her head through. She was incredibly lucky to have been spotted and recovered!

Yesterday also highlighted again the need for our rehabilitation facility to be rebuilt and reopened. We have received fantastic support so far, over $120,000, but we still have a ways to go. Being open would mean these turtles would be able to receive instant medical care locally, reducing the stress of transports and taking the additional logistic and financial burden off our or network rehab partners. And, while we know they will receive excellent care with our partners, we know that burden. We have been in those shoes, accepting any turtles brought our way and making it work. We’re ready to make it work again!

Want to help us get there faster? Please consider donating at www.floridapanhandlemarineinstitute.com/donate! You can also join us this coming Monday at the Lynn Haven Beef ‘O’ Brady’s for a spirit night fundraiser! Keep an eye our for more upcoming fundraising events and important announcements!

Photo of lifeguards with Kemp’s ridley taken by Kevin with City Pier staff, all other photos taken by FPMI. All sea turtle rescue and recovery activities are done under appropriate Marine Turtle Permits.

https://www.wjhg.com/2026/06/25/sea-turtle-rescued-mb-miller-county-pier