We have had a high number of strandings and washbacks this season. Washbacks are post-emergence hatchlings that have been weakened by rough surf and wash ashore. At press time, volunteers had retrieved 182 washbacks. Many of these washbacks survive after a few days of rehabilitation and are returned to the sea by boat.
   Adult strandings are a far more serious problem: mature turtles are removed from the breeding population. At press time, there had been a total of 88 strandings in Volusia County. In a one-month span, of 15 strandings, 11 were endangered Leatherback turtles, along with one Green (also endangered), one endangered Kemp's Ridley, and two threatened Loggerheads.
   The excessive number of strandings coincides with the increased presence of shrimp boats
offshore. The stranded turtles showed no signs of illness, but several had signs of being caught in nets such as scrapes and rope and gaff wounds. A necropsy of one tremendous Leatherback revealed no signs of disease or plastics in the digestive system. (Because the main diet of a Leatherback is Jellyfish, they have been known
to die when they ingest plastic bags or balloons, mistaking them for their favorite fare.). Shrimpers are required to use Turtle Excluder Devices, or TEDs. Unfortunately, the Leatherback, which can reach 2,000 pounds, is not protected
by this measure.
   The National Marine Fisheries Service issued
a temporary emergency rule requiring shrimp fishermen to increase the width of their TEDs from 35 to 71 inches. It is difficult to catch those that violate the TED laws. Those that are caught can be fined, lose their license, or serve jail time.