It’s been 22 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a day in which 343 firefighters, along with thousands of others died. Along the Emerald Coast, firefighters haven’t forgotten about those sacrifices.
Gulf Islands National Seashore Santa Rosa Area including Opal Beach Area and Highway 399, and the Fort Pickens Area are closed until further notice due to storm surge from Hurricane Idalia creating standing water up to two feet deep in certain areas.
12 hours, 11 minutes and 47 seconds.
That’s how long Andrew Edwards was in the water during his 20 mile swim from Pensacola Beach Park West to Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.
Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is the number one pier in Florida for successful sea turtle stranding efforts.
According to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC), they have saved 45 from the pier in 2023 alone. In 2022, they saved 50 sea turtles at the pier.
On Aug. 11, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the extension of the already record 2023 recreational Gulf red snapper season by 17 days, adding every Friday through Saturday in September, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day to the previously announced season.
The Emerald Coast is no stranger to sea turtles in need of help. Sea turtles get caught at fishing piers, are injured by boats and find themselves entrapped by plastic and other items that find their way into the ocean.
The popularity of diving in northwest Florida has grown in recent years. Escambia and Santa Rosa counties just recently deployed two more reefs as part of the Esca-Rosa Regional Artificial Reefs project.
With over 100 diving sites stretched across the Emerald Coast, from Escambia to Gulf County, there are plenty of opportunities for locals and visitors to explore reefs and marine life.
The Gulfarium’s C.A.R.E. Center successfully released six rehabilitated sea turtle patients on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Inlet Beach in the Florida panhandle.
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has taken in 89 patients this year, and so far has released 58 of them. Today, six sea turtles, four Loggerheads, one Kemps ridley, and one Green were able to return to the Gulf of Mexico.
