Featured

Taking a Look Back on the 2024 Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Each year between March 1 and October 31 the research staff at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) monitors sea turtle nesting activity on 9.5 miles of beach in North Palm Beach County, Florida; however, nesting often occurs prior to and following those dates. Three species of sea turtles utilize the beaches close to the Center. Because the turtles come ashore during this time, nesting season allows our team the opportunity to study and monitor these populations.

The first species to hit the beaches each year is the leatherback, followed by loggerheads, and then finally the green turtles. 2023 was a record year for sea turtle nesting on the beaches monitored by LMC with over 25,000 total nests, also representing a record of 15,672 nests for loggerheads. This year, as of the end of October, 14,950 total nests have been recorded.

Each evening, LMC staff are working on the beaches as turtles are nesting. During this time the staff can get bloodwork, measurements, weights, and tag key specimens with flipper tags and occasionally satellite tags. One leatherback named Patricia has visited the beaches monitored by the Center frequently and was satellite tagged in 2023. After leaving the beaches of South Florida, Patricia headed all the way up to the chilly waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence south of Quebec. That is a marathon journey by boat, let alone swimming. Another leatherback named Domino missed the all-time diving depth record for the species by 336 feet reaching 3,669 feet.

With each morning survey, our research team identifies every crawl left by nesting sea turtles. The three species that nest on the local beaches all leave a unique signature path in the sand. Each crawl is identified to a species and reviewed as to whether it was a successful crawl resulting in a nest or a false crawl where the turtle decided not to nest for any number of reasons from type of sand, light pollution, presence of predators, or human interlopers.

While each nesting year is different, the team at Loggerhead Marinelife Center is on the front lines of sea turtle research. Despite nesting numbers being very high last year, hatchling survival was rather low likely due to high temperatures and a dry summer. The rainy season of 2024 has led to increased hatchling production as the rain cools off the nests. Conservation efforts that began nearly 40 years ago have helped most sea turtle populations in the United States begin to rebound, but they are not out of the woods (or sand) just yet. Loggerhead Marinelife Center benefits from the partnership of Loggerhead Marinas which help support the critical work we do.

Andy Dehart – President & CEO

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Photos courtesy of Christian Del Rosario and Andy Dehart

Featured

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Ingredients:

8 ounces 60% cacao dark chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 Cup heavy cream

1/3 Cup bourbon

3/4 Cup pecan halves, finely chopped

Instructions:

1. Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring heavy cream and bourbon just a simmer in a saucepan over medium. Remove from heat and pour cream mixture over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute; stir vigorously until cream and chocolate are thoroughly blended. Let mixture cool 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 2 hours. (If you cannot make the truffles immediately, the mixture will keep, covered, in the fridge up to 1 week.)

2. Place chopped pecans on a shallow plate. Line a baking sheet

3. Working quickly and using a small warmed teaspoon (dipped into hot water and then dried), scoop chilled chocolate mixture by 2-teaspoon portions, and shape each into a ball. Place each ball on chopped pecans. Once the plate is filled, wash hands and roll balls in pecans to completely cover. Transfer balls to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chocolate mixture and pecans.

4. Chill balls until firm, about 1 hour. (Or freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.) Enjoy them now, gift them, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

(Recipe from southernliving.com)

Featured

Signal Corps Two-Letter Flag Signals and VHF Radio call signsTwo-Letter Flag Signals

Two-Letter Flag Signals

Have you ever seen flags being flown while out on the water that you didn’t recognize? Being familiar with your flags can help you and other boaters stay alert and be safe.

A C: I am abandoning vessel

I T: I am on fire

A N: I need a doctor

J F: I am in distress and need immediate assistance

A Q: I have an injured person who needs to be taken off immediately

J G: I am aground and in danger

C B: I require immediate assistance

J L: You are at risk of running aground

C J: Do you require assistance?

J W: I have sprung a leak

C N: I am unable to give assistance

K F: I require a tug

C P: I am coming to your assistance

K N: I cannot take you in tow

D V: I am drifting

N C: International Distress

D X: I am sinking

N E: Proceed with great caution

G W: Man overboard

N F: You are running into danger

I M: I request to be escorted until further notice

N G: You are in a dangerous position

VHF Channel Markers

Whether you’re very comfortable with using your VHF radio or still figuring things out, knowing how to use your channels is essential to communicating effectively with those around you.

16: Hailing and distress

09: Ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast (for example, when contacting marinas)

68: The same as Channel 9, but this channel is also used for commercial ship-to-ship

06: Ship-to-ship communication for safety only

21A and 83: Coast Guard internal communication only

22A: This is the channel you’ll be switched to if you call the Coast Guard, and your situation isn’t life threatening

13: Navigational (bridges, locks, etc.)

70: Reserved for digital selective calling

12: Port operations

25, 26, 27, and 28: Public telephone-link up with a land-based marine operator

69, 71, and 72: Ship-to-ship communication

WX-1, WX-2, WX-3, and WX-4: Weather broadcasts

Featured

A message from our friends at Loggerhead Marinelife Center

The words “coral reef” have several connotations. To many it invokes memories of snorkeling or diving in the clear blue waters of the Florida Keys, Caribbean or other tropical parts of the world. Others think of days out on the boat fishing and enjoying time with friends and family. Some may think of a Jimmy Buffet ballad backed up by his band the Coral Reefers.

Few, however, think of the valuable roles coral reefs play in our natural world and in our coastal economies. Worldwide, coral reefs are hotbeds for biodiversity that support 25% of all marine species and over $36 billion in tourism. If you enjoy recreational fishing it is important to know that coral reefs provide shelter and food as well as reproductive and nursery areas for many marine species including those that are commercially and recreationally valuable as food fish.  According to the PEW Charitable Trusts nearly 6 million fishers in the world rely on coral reefs for their products which have an estimated annual value of $375 billion globally. The annual value of coral reef-based fisheries in the US is well over $200 million.  

Brain Coral | Photo courtesy of Andy Dehart

Healthy reefs are not just important for protecting our fisheries and tourism, they are critical for protecting our coastal communities. Coral reefs are the first line of defense against powerful storms by reducing wave height an average of 84%. In many tropical coastal communities, mangroves and coral reefs work in tandem to protect shorelines from severe storms and flooding. A recent study found that Florida’s Coral Reef annually provides over $675 million dollars in flood protection benefits to people, property and jobs – increasing to over $1.6 billion during severe storm events.

Unfortunately, coral reefs are facing many local, regional, and global stressors including declining water quality and unusually high ocean temperatures that led to 2023-24 being declared as the 4th global coral bleaching event. In addition, an outbreak of the virulent “stony coral tissue loss disease” continues to affect corals throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

Staghorn Coral | Photo courtesy of Andy Dehart

Since coral reefs are so valuable, it’s critical to keep them healthy and resilient. Luckily there is still time to save these amazing ecosystems! Loggerhead Marinelife Center and its partner organizations are focused on all areas of reef conservation ranging from education to habitat restoration and disease control. We need your help – the boating community is key to helping us build innovative private and corporate partnerships that will support protection and restoration of these ecologically, culturally, and economically important ecosystems.  

There are several things you can do to help in this fight to protect this resource for generations to come. Some of the most impactful things you can do are:

  • Use reef safe sunscreen. Visit https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html for more information.
  • Choose sustainable seafood by using a program like Seafood Watch.
  • Practice safe boating by anchoring in sandy areas away from reefs and sea grasses – far enough to ensure the anchor chain does not drag over these sensitive habitats.
  • Be chemical aware. Many cleaning chemicals for boats can harm the reefs as can fertilizers used in your yard at home.
  • Recycle monofilament lines to prevent derelict marine debris.
  • Refuse or reduce single-use plastics. Plastics eventually break down into nano plastics and trickle into the food and water we consume.

I learned to snorkel in the Florida Keys at the age of 5. I have had a lifetime of adventure and excitement on or under the water on coral reefs. I have been very fortunate to have dove with large sharks, snorkeled with sea turtles and watched goliath groupers. At Loggerhead Marinelife Center we want to help build awareness for these special places to ultimately protect them. We know we have kindred spirits in the boating community that love the coral reefs just like we do, and we thank you for being partners in their protection.

Andy Dehart

President & CEO

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Green Beneath the Waves: A Dive into Seagrass Habitats

Did you know that seagrass and seaweed are not the same thing? Seaweed, like kelp and the floating sargassum we are overly familiar with here in Florida are not true plants, they are macroalgae. They lack specialized features like roots and the ability to flower. Seagrasses, on the other hand, are flowering plants that are more closely related to lilies and orchids than grasses. They have roots, stems, leaves, and produce flowers, seeds, and pollen. Seagrasses grow in shallow, coastal waters in groups called meadows or beds and are critically important to the health of our coastal waters. Seagrass beds serve many functions like nursery habitat for invertebrates and baby fish, including snapper and stone crab.

Seagrasses are also important carbon and nutrient sinks that produce large amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis. By rooting into the sediment, they stabilize the bottom; a healthy bed of seagrass helps trap fine particles and absorbs excess nutrients from the surrounding water. Not only do these seagrasses play a critical role in the health of the oceans and in generating oxygen for the planet but they are food for some our most beloved animals – manatees and green turtles. Both feed almost exclusively on different types of seagrasses and are challenged by the rapid loss of seagrass in our coastal areas.

These rapid losses are happening because all marine ecosystems are delicately balanced, and too many nutrients can be detrimental. Just like our lawns, seagrass beds need some organic fertilizer, but they can be harmed if the nutrients are too abundant. Instead of helping the seagrasses to grow, the excess nutrients feed microscopic algae causing massive blooms in the water column. This makes the water murky and prevents sunlight from penetrating to the seafloor; ultimately starving the seagrasses of energy they need to grow and thrive. 

Currently, excess nutrients in our coastal waters are not from natural sources but rather from runoff associated with agriculture and urban areas combined with the seepage of waste from failing septic systems and aged wastewater pipes. These pollution pathways are leading to more frequent and severe algal explosions in our nearshore waters and ocean ecosystems – causing massive seagrass die offs. This starts a vicious cycle – as seagrass beds die, the sediment their roots held together becomes loose and gets stirred up by waves.  This worsens the water clarity and makes restoration of these habitats challenging.

As Loggerhead Marina boaters there are some simple steps you can take to help us at Loggerhead Marinelife Center to protect our coastal seagrass beds. First is through responsible boating: Go Slow for Those Below! To help protect sea turtles and other marine life, travel at the minimum speed needed for safe navigation. This also reduces your risk of running your boat onto shallow seagrass beds that could cause scars in the sediment and take years to recover. When choosing a place to anchor, look for a sandy patch rather than grass as anchors tear seagrasses out at the roots. Second, reduce fertilizer use at home and fertilize only in the dry season. Plant native trees and landscape that do well in the local environment. Lastly, support responsible local watershed management including septic to sewer infrastructure upgrades and low-impact development and green infrastructure projects. As someone that enjoys life out on the ocean, in the Intracoastal Waterway, or any number of bays and harbors you see the bounty of what seagrasses provide. Be good stewards and help us protect these incredible coastal ecosystems.

Andy Dehart

President & CEO

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Better boater tips:

simple steps to protect our coastal seagrass beds

  • Travel at the minimum speed needed for safe navigation and to avoid scarring shallow seagrass beds
  • Look for a sandy patch when anchoring rather than grass as anchors tear seagrasses out at the roots.
  • Reduce fertilizer use at home and fertilize only in the dry season. Plant native trees and landscape that do well in the local environment.
  • Support responsible local watershed management including septic to sewer infrastructure upgrades and low-impact development and green infrastructure projects.

Green Beneath the Waves: A Dive into Seagrass Habitats

Did you know that seagrass and seaweed are not the same thing? Seaweed, like kelp and the floating sargassum we are overly familiar with here in Florida are not true plants, they are macroalgae. They lack specialized features like roots and the ability to flower. Seagrasses, on the other hand, are flowering plants that are more closely related to lilies and orchids than grasses. They have roots, stems, leaves, and produce flowers, seeds, and pollen. Seagrasses grow in shallow, coastal waters in groups called meadows or beds and are critically important to the health of our coastal waters. Seagrass beds serve many functions like nursery habitat for invertebrates and baby fish, including snapper and stone crab.

Seagrasses are also important carbon and nutrient sinks that produce large amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis. By rooting into the sediment, they stabilize the bottom; a healthy bed of seagrass helps trap fine particles and absorbs excess nutrients from the surrounding water. Not only do these seagrasses play a critical role in the health of the oceans and in generating oxygen for the planet but they are food for some our most beloved animals – manatees and green turtles. Both feed almost exclusively on different types of seagrasses and are challenged by the rapid loss of seagrass in our coastal areas.

These rapid losses are happening because all marine ecosystems are delicately balanced, and too many nutrients can be detrimental. Just like our lawns, seagrass beds need some organic fertilizer, but they can be harmed if the nutrients are too abundant. Instead of helping the seagrasses to grow, the excess nutrients feed microscopic algae causing massive blooms in the water column. This makes the water murky and prevents sunlight from penetrating to the seafloor; ultimately starving the seagrasses of energy they need to grow and thrive. 

Currently, excess nutrients in our coastal waters are not from natural sources but rather from runoff associated with agriculture and urban areas combined with the seepage of waste from failing septic systems and aged wastewater pipes. These pollution pathways are leading to more frequent and severe algal explosions in our nearshore waters and ocean ecosystems – causing massive seagrass die offs. This starts a vicious cycle – as seagrass beds die, the sediment their roots held together becomes loose and gets stirred up by waves.  This worsens the water clarity and makes restoration of these habitats challenging.

As Loggerhead Marina boaters there are some simple steps you can take to help us at Loggerhead Marinelife Center to protect our coastal seagrass beds. First is through responsible boating: Go Slow for Those Below! To help protect sea turtles and other marine life, travel at the minimum speed needed for safe navigation. This also reduces your risk of running your boat onto shallow seagrass beds that could cause scars in the sediment and take years to recover. When choosing a place to anchor, look for a sandy patch rather than grass as anchors tear seagrasses out at the roots. Second, reduce fertilizer use at home and fertilize only in the dry season. Plant native trees and landscape that do well in the local environment. Lastly, support responsible local watershed management including septic to sewer infrastructure upgrades and low-impact development and green infrastructure projects. As someone that enjoys life out on the ocean, in the Intracoastal Waterway, or any number of bays and harbors you see the bounty of what seagrasses provide. Be good stewards and help us protect these incredible coastal ecosystems.

Andy Dehart

President & CEO

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Homemade Delights: Cherry Cobbler Muffins & Apple Carrot Dog Treats

If you didn’t get enough sweet treats from the holiday season, then you’re in luck!


Cherry Cobbler Muffins

Ingredients:

Muffin mix
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
¼ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup milk
21 ounce can cherry pie filling, divided

Streusel Topping:

¼ cup, salted butter, cold and cut into cubes
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with parchment paper muffin liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat or whisk together eggs, melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Dump the dry ingredients into the egg/milk mixture and stir gently, just until combined. Do not overmix. Transfer ½ (about 1 cup) of the canned cherry pie filling to a strainer and rinse the pie filling from the cherries. Allow to drain completely. Toss the rinsed cherries in the remaining tablespoon of flour. Then fold into muffin batter, stirring just until cherries are distributed. Divide the batter evenly between 12 muffin cups. From the remainder of the cherry pie filling can, drop 2 to 3 cherries over the top of the muffins along with a small amount of pie filling. In a small bowl use your fingers or a fork to mix butter, flour, baking powder, sugar, and cinnamon until crumbles form. Mix heavy cream into the butter/flour mixture. Sprinkle streusel over the top of the cherries and muffin batter. Bake approximately 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of muffins comes out with only a few crumbles. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove muffins from the pan onto a cooling rack. Serve warm.

Apple Carrot Dog Biscuits (makes 12-24 biscuits based on size of cookie cutter)

Recipe from reluctantentertainer.com

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
½ cup oats (gluten-free or regular)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 apple, cored and grated
½ cup carrots, peeled and grated
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
¼ – ½ cup water

Instructions:

Mix the dry ingredients together. In separate bowl, beat the egg and mix in the oil, water, and grated apples and carrots. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix completely. Carefully roll out dough and cut into shapes with a small cookie cutter. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until biscuits are firm.

Read More:

No Gear Needed: 4 Games to Play on the Waves

a few games that require little to no supplies

Twenty Questions

This tried-and-true pastime doesn’t have to be saved for road trips!

To play Twenty Questions, one player (who will be “it” for the round) will think of a person, place, thing, or animal. The other players will take turns asking yes or no questions to determine what the secret answer is, but they can only ask 20 questions in total. If the other players can guess the secret answer, they win, but if they can’t, the person who is “it” does!

Tag-team stories

In this game, you and your group are working together to write a fictional story. Each player is responsible for keeping the story moving forward, adding a sentence when it’s their turn.

For example, if player one begins with “It was a warm, sunny day.”, the next could continue with, “Our family was having a picnic at our favorite park” and the following might create a twist such as, “Suddenly, the wind picked up and it began to snow.”

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what direction your stories will take on, and you’re sure to come up with some unexpected plot points!

Got It

There’s no limit to how many people can play Got It at once, though the more players you have the more exciting the game will be!

Two players each think of a word. It can be anything – an animal, place, idea, action, you name it! When each player has their word in mind, they’ll say their words together on the count of three. Two new players will try to think of a word that connects the two words said by the first two players and will say them together on the count of three. If you’re playing in a large group, ask the players to shout out “Got it!” when they’ve come up with a word and are ready to play. This continues until two players land on the same word!

Picture This:

In this game, you and your group are each directing a music video. Turn on your favorite playlist and let your creativity fly visualizing what would be happening in your music video. Take turns painting the scene for your group and see how they compare to your fellow players.

Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Salad

Give your classic egg salad a twist by adding roasted sweet potatoes! This combination recipe of egg salad and sweet potatoes gives this side dish more texture and flavor from the sweet potatoes. There are a few more steps involved in this atypical dish than a classic egg salad, but we promise the tasty payoff will be worth it. You can also customize this salad however you’d like – no celery? Go for diced red onions instead. Or make it spicy with some cayenne pepper. You could use the typical dijon mustard/mayo combo as a dressing, or take it to the next level with an avocado crema, which gives the dish that same creamy texture with a slight twist. What is also great about this recipe is that you can prep the hard-boiled eggs and roasted sweet potatoes ahead of time – just store in the fridge until ready to use, assemble, and enjoy!

Ingredients: Makes about 12 servings

Salad Ingredients
1 -2 sweet potatoes (depending on how big they are), diced
2 tbs olive oil
6 hard-boiled eggs, diced
red onion, diced (TIP: let the diced red onions hang out in some cold water before assembling salad to soften that onion bite!)
chives, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 and put a pot of boiling water on the stove. This way, you can prep your potatoes and eggs at the same time!
  2. Dice sweet potatoes and lay on a baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the sweet potatoes and pop in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes until they are soft and the edges are slightly browned. Let the potatoes cool before adding them to the other ingredients.
  4. While the potatoes are in the oven, hard boil your eggs according to your preferred method.
  5. Dice up red onions and let soak in cold water for a few minutes to soften bitter taste; can dice celery here if using celery, instead.
  6. Dice chives.
  7. Once eggs are hard boiled and set in a cold water bath, dice these up, too.
  8. Add onions and/or celery, eggs, chives, and cooled sweet potatoes to bowl. Add spices and mix in.
  9. Add dressing of choice and mix to combine.
  10. Refrigerate before serving.

Traditional Dressing:

1/3 C mayo
Juice from 1/2 lemon
Dijon mustard
1 tsp paprika
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

Just mix all together in a bowl and pour over egg salad

Avocado Crema Dressing

1 ripe avocado; pinch of salt, pinch of pepper, 1/2 can of coconut milk; 1 juiced lime, 1 tsp hot sauce (or more if you want it spicy!); 1 garlic clove, 1/4 tsp onion powder

Instructions:

Blitz all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, add a little bit of water to the mix and continue to blend until smooth. This crema is great on other dishes as well like tacos, sandwiches, or anything else you can think of.

Avocado Crema recipe inspired by Hot for Food 

8 Tips for Beginner and Expert Boaters: Setting Sail with Confidence

Boating is an exhilarating experience, meant to offer endless adventures and loads of fun. Whether you’re new to navigating the waters or are a seasoned seafarer, these essential tips will help ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for you and your crew.

  1. Know the Basics of Boating Safety
    Boating is an exhilarating experience, meant to offer endless adventures and loads of fun. Whether you’re new to navigating the waters or are a seasoned seafarer, these essential tips will help ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for you and your crew.

  2. Maintain Your Boat Regularly
    Owning a boat comes with the responsibility of regular maintenance. Schedule routine inspections and services to keep your vessel in top condition. Check the hull, engine, and electrical systems regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your boat but also ensures safe and smooth outings.

  3. Understand Weather Conditions
    Weather can change rapidly, especially in open water. Check the weather forecast before heading out and remain vigilant for any signs of changing conditions. Strong winds, heavy rain, or thunderstorms can create dangerous situations, so it’s best to avoid boating during adverse weather.

  4. Practice Docking and Anchoring
    Docking and anchoring can take some time to get the hang of, especially at a new marina. be challenging for beginners. Practice these skills in calm conditions to build confidence. Approach docks slowly and be mindful of wind and currents. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from our friendly marina teams! When anchoring, ensure the anchor is securely set to prevent drifting.

  5. Respect Navigational Rules
    Just like driving, boating has its own set of rules and regulations. Learn and follow navigational rules, including right-of-way, speed limits, and no-wake zones. Respecting these rules and staying sober while at the helm ensures your safety and that of others on the water.

  6. Communicate Your Plans
    Inform someone on shore about your boating plans, including your expected return time and route. Having a communication plan in place can be a lifesaver in case of emergencies and can add to your peace of mind when you’re on the water.

  7. Dress Appropriately
    Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Non-slip shoes and layers can help you stay comfortable and safe. Always wear a life jacket, regardless of your swimming ability. Safety never goes out of style! 

  8. Enjoy the Journey
    Lastly, embrace the learning process and enjoy your time on the water. Boating is about relaxation and adventure, so take it slow and savor each moment.
     

    By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the waters safely and confidently. Happy boating!

We Asked, You Answered: Some of these tips are from our very own community of Facebook followers! Give us a follow and you’ll find all the fun content we share!