One of our most dreaded sightings is a stranded sea turtle -- one that has come ashore, not to nest, but as the result of injury, disease, or death at sea.

Folly had 9 strandings during the 2001 season; 3 on June 30th.

Folly's experience with stranding is duplicated all along the SC coast. There were 136 reported strandings in South Carolina during 2000, and 94 in 1999. 59 of last year's were on Charleston's four beaches; 36 on Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island. Most of the strandings occur between May 1st and July 31st -- the time when offshore turtle and human activities converge.

The loss of every sea turtle that has survived the 20-30 years to reach their sub-adult and adult life stage is significant. Not only is that individual lost, but its potential to reproduce is gone. For an endangered species, this is especially critical. As one biologist has said, "Losing an adult turtle is like losing 1,000 eggs on the beach."

Strandings 2004
Strandings 2003
Strandings 2002
Strandings 2000


Additional stranding information from

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• Turtle Time, Inc.
• Marine Mammal Stranding Center
• British Marine Turtle Stranding Network