If you spot a sick or injured Sea Turtle in Florida, you should immediately contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (*FWC or #FWC on your cell phone).
The FWC has a state-wide network and coordinates resources for the rescue of sea turtles.
You may also contact the Coast Guard (VHF channel 16).
If neither of the above are able to assist you, please contact The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida.
Examples of a sea turtle that might need help include but are not limited to:
- Listelessly floating on the surface
- Struggling but unable to dive
- Entanglement in fishing line, rope, netting or plastic material
- Apparent damage from a boat hit
- Washed up on the beach/shore, possibly very skinny or a small “wash back” hatchling
Sea turtles are endangered/threatened species and should not be touched or handled by anyone unless authorized by the FWC.