Turtles stranded on UK beaches after storms send them off course

15 sea turtles stranded in UK and Ireland since November

To madeleine cuff

According to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the number of sea turtles stranded on beaches in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland has spiked this winter.

Since November, a total of 15 turtles, including loggerhead turtles (Caretta Caretta) and the rare Kemp Ridley Turtle (Lepidocheris Kempy), washed up on the shores of England and Ireland. This is a much higher number than usual, with typically 4-6 strandings recorded between November and February each year.

According to MCS, the turtles were probably diverted from their original waters along the coasts of the United States and the Caribbean Sea during storms and carried by trans-Atlantic currents.

According to MCS, all individuals were relatively small juveniles who would have struggled to contend with high winds and currents. Most were found stranded on beaches in southwest England, the most northerly being Anglesey in northern Wales.

MCS’s Amy Pilsbury says the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical storms caused by climate change may be a contributing factor to the strandings.

Last year, Florida and the Bahamas were hit by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, causing billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and property.

Leatherback turtle (dermochelys coriacea), adapted to the chilly British waters, and is regularly seen along the British coastline during the summer months. However, stranded species like loggerhead turtles have a hard time coping with cooler temperatures.

Some turtles were found alive and rescued for rehabilitation, but at least nine died. “Once they reach our waters, they are outside of their normal temperature range, so they can go into cold-water shock,” he says.

The MCS is urging the public to keep an eye on sea turtles as more strandings are likely to occur in the coming weeks.

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