For Immediate Release, January 4, 2022

Contact: Richard WhiteCloud
Phone: (954) 770-2344/(954) 404-0025 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF STOP

Recommends reinstatement of permits denied by FWC

In a precedent-setting ruling, the judge rules and recommends that FWC grant STOP’s applications for renewal of permits previously denied.  In her decision, the Judge stated that FWC failed to prove that STOP’s night time patrols are no longer necessary, citing the lighting ordinance compliance rate of just 23% in Broward County.    

After reviewing the evidence, Judge stated that “the facts adduced in the hearing are that members of the public, comprised of tourists and citizens, are the main disturbing presence on the beaches and not STOP volunteers whose presence comprise approximately one volunteer per mile of beach.”

Notable excerpts from the Ruling: 

• “STOP proved that it meets the criteria for renewal and that its marine turtle conservation activities are still needed on the urbanized beaches of Broward County. STOP proved by a preponderance of the evidence that it is entitled to renewal of MTP-195, MTP-196, and MTP-197.
• -FWC did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that STOP remains out of compliance with reporting requirements and requests for information. FWC did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that STOP volunteers use inappropriate lights and shine lights on nests in contravention of permit conditions.
• FWC did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there no longer exists a need for the permitted activities.” 

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that FWC enter a final order granting STOP's applications to renew MTP-195, MTP-196, and MTP-197. DONE AND ENTERED this 20th day of December, 2021, in Tallahassee, Leon County Florida.”

STOP has submitted the renewal request for all previously authorized permits for the 2022 season.  

On behalf of the founders, volunteers and sea turtles, thank you for your support!!   

Recommended Order

For Immediate Release, May 13, 2021

Contact: Richard WhiteCloud
Phone: (954) 770-2344 / (954) 404-0025
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FWC Guts Florida’s Largest Sea Turtle Rescue Organization

Turtles Will Die as a Result!

On April 28, 2021, authorities from FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) notified S.T.O.P. (Sea Turtle Oversight Protection) that they would not be renewing 3 of 5 rescue permits that it had historically issued for the purpose of conducting nighttime hatchling rescue operations.  This decision reduces staffing by 60%.
Without prior notice and just as the 2021 sea turtle nesting season commences, FWC has effectively gutted S.T.O.P. by reducing the number of permits to just 2, thereby reducing patrollers from 121 to 48. Additionally, FWC wants to phase out ALL night time patrols over the next several years.  This will result in a catastrophic loss of the endangered species. 

S.T.O.P. has been the largest permit holder in the state, operating under FWC guidelines since 2007 and rescuing nearly 250,000 hatchlings to date.  In 2019, S.T.O.P. 's 121 trained volunteers spent thousands of hours patrolling approximately 18 miles of beach from dusk till dawn, rescuing 29,650 hatchlings from certain death due to disorientation from artificial light pollution.  While there have historically been 121 volunteers on the permit, logistically, on average there are only around 20 volunteers on the beach each night- spread out over 18 miles of coastline. 

Even more egregious, FWC has taken this action without announcing alternative measures to ensure the survival of these endangered species.  While lighting ordinances have been adopted by all coastal municipalities in the County, compliance is inconsistent and enforcement is almost non-existent.  Despite S.T.O.P. 's 14 years of documenting offending hotels, condos, houses, restaurants, and shops, FWC has failed to pressure municipalities to enforce existing lighting codes.  Without sufficient S.T.O.P. staff monitoring the thousands of nests at night, tens of thousands of hatchlings will follow the artificial lights and crawl into roadways, storm drains and parking lots- dying, just minutes after being born.  Hatchlings that don’t have road access will crawl aimlessly on the beach until they dehydrate and die.  

FWC has further impacted S.T.O.P. 's ability to continue their mission by reducing the duration of the educational permits used to conduct “Turtle Treks of Terramar” educational programs from 4 months to 2 months.  This leaves fewer opportunities to educate and inspire the general public to conserve these endangered animals.  Additionally, the Treks have been a source of funding the rescue operations; a further blow to the organization.

For detailed information and documentation recorded by S.T.O.P. rescue volunteers, visit http://www.seaturtleop.com/index.php/about/statistics

Take action by signing our petition: https://www.change.org/SaveBabySeaTurtles

About Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (S.T.O.P.)
S.T.O.P. is a local, grass-roots 501(c)3 nonprofit sea turtle conservation organization and the first hatchling rescue in Broward County.  Founded in 2007 by Richard, Siouxzen and Teakahla WhiteCloud to reduce hatchling mortality due to artificial light pollution.  Our mission is to protect and rescue sea turtles and preserve their critical habitats, while remaining free of political influence for the benefit of conservation. 

Trained volunteers work tirelessly to rescue, recover and release hatchlings that could not find the ocean due to artificial lighting.  Our efforts have reduced the hatchling mortality rate by almost 50% in Broward County.  To date, we have saved nearly 250,000 hatchlings that were disoriented to artificial lights and would have died without our presence.  We aim to provide a solution to a complex problem:  to document disorientation events to the local and state officials and to create awareness through education, in an effort to balance the scales and give the hatchlings a chance to begin their life.  To learn more about what we do and how you can help, please visit www.seaturtleop.com. 

Click Here to Continue Reading

FWC Mandates Death Sentence for Baby Sea Turtles in Broward County, FL

In the first few minutes of an endangered baby sea turtle's life, it faces many perils.  Here, a majority of sea turtle babies disorient due to artificial light pollution.  Upon hatching, they are instinctively drawn away from the ocean, their natural home. Confusing artificial light for the moon and stars, they end up in our streets, our sewers, and our parking lots, or they dehydrate on the beach and die.  Our hearts are broken, because now we will have to risk legal action to save their lives. Under no circumstances should they die due to the inappropriate actions of the FWC, the agency entrusted with protecting them under the Endangered Species Act (ESA 1973).

With blatant disregard for these innocent babies' lives and the future survival of the species, FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) has, without prior notice, just as the 2021 sea turtle nesting season commences, effectively gutted S.T.O.P. by reducing the number of permits to just 2, thereby reducing volunteer rescue patrols from 121 to 48.  They also plan on completely eliminating nighttime patrols over the next few years.  Isn't it FWC's responsibility to protect, not abuse the rights of these endangered species?  They know these baby turtles will die.  Please sign our petition and contact  FWC.  Click here to tell them to reinstate all 5 of our rescue permits to full capacity.

S.T.O.P., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has been the largest permit holder in the state, operating under FWC guidelines since 2007 and rescuing and releasing over 260,000 hatchlings to date.  In 2019, S.T.O.P.’s 121 trained volunteers spent thousands of hours patrolling Broward County’s approximately 24 miles of beaches from dusk till dawn, rescuing 23,367 hatchlings from certain death.  Even more egregious, FWC has taken this action without announcing alternative measures to ensure the survival of these endangered species.  While lighting ordinances have been adopted by all coastal municipalities in the County, compliance is inconsistent and enforcement is almost non-existent.  Despite S.T.O.P.‘s 14 years of documenting offending hotels, condos, houses, restaurants, and shops, FWC has failed to pressure municipalities to enforce existing lighting codes.  

Without sufficient S.T.O.P. staff monitoring the thousands of nests at night, each season tens of thousands of hatchlings will disorient and perish, diminishing the future survival of the endangered species.

FWC has further impacted S.T.O.P.’s ability to continue their mission by reducing the duration of the educational permits used to conduct “Turtle Treks of Terramar” from 4 to 2 months.  This leaves fewer opportunities to educate and inspire the general public to conserve these endangered animals.  Additionally, the Treks have been a source of funding the rescue operations; a further blow to the organization.

Please watch our videos on YouTube!  Click here

Sign Here

https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/federal-government-agrees-protect-green-sea-turtle-habitat-2020-08-20/

For more information click: https://www.facebook.com/events/620939295333733/

Join Us Saturday, March 14th 2020 from 5pm-12am at The World Famous Parrot Lounge Fort Lauderdale

$20 Donation gets you a reusable logo stainless steel cup filled with a local chilled draft beer!

Complementary Buffet

50/50 Raffle

Click here for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/659955524775515/

Click here for more information: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/pembroke-pines/event/2311634/

Join Us Thursday December 19th from 5pm-11pm at Riverside Market South!

$10 Donation gets you a reusable logo stainless steel cup filled with a local chilled draft beer!

Great Raffle Prizes

Vegan & Vegetarian Food Specials!