COASTAL CREATURE FEATURE

August’s creature is the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle -- the rarest of all sea turtles in the world, and one of the smallest at two feet across.  Listed as endangered since 1970, these marine turtles primarily nest on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico from May to July.  Thus, the impacts from BP’s oil disaster on the nests are feared to cause significant harm to the population.  When these turtles hatch, they head to the open sea.  But, as adults, they spend their lives migrating the shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean, especially up and down the East Coast.  As frequent visitors to Barnegat Bay, they have unfortunately been found impinged on intake screens of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.  Other human activities including collecting eggs, harvesting for meat, and development, have been the main cause of the turtles’ decline.  In addition, pollution and trash have impacted them.  Sea turtles eat jellyfish and feed on balloons and plastic bags, which mimic jellyfish, causing harm or death.  Congratulations to Dennis Von Linden, Bridgewater, NJ, for being chosen among the correct entries.