Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research

Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, Charitable organisation, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Dept. Marine Biology, Bld 3029 Suite 280, Galveston, TX.
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The mission of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research is to facilitate research activities at all organizational levels, from molecular to population and ecosystem levels, that will ultimately result in restoration of sea turtle populations. Our shipping address is:
1001 Texas Clipper Road
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
℅ Department of Marine Biology
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Galveston, TX 77554

Threat of the Day: Entanglement. One of the biggest threats to sea turtles is accidental capture in fishing gear. Acco...
06/12/2026

Threat of the Day: Entanglement.

One of the biggest threats to sea turtles is accidental capture in fishing gear. According to the World Wildlife Fund, over 250,000 sea turtles are caught and drowned in fisheries each year. In 1989, federal regulations required the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp nets, allowing turtles to escape safely while still enabling fishermen to catch shrimp. Despite these laws, many sea turtles continue to become entangled in abandoned fishing gear, hooks, and nets every year.

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research rescues, recovers, and rehabilitates hundreds of sea turtles annually, many of which have stranded due to entanglement. You can help protect these endangered and threatened species by disposing of fishing gear safely. Learn more about this threat here:https://www.seaturtleweek.com/entanglement

June 12th is Loggerhead day! Adult loggerhead sea turtles can reach 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weigh between 200-...
06/12/2026

June 12th is Loggerhead day!

Adult loggerhead sea turtles can reach 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weigh between 200-400 pounds (90-180 kilograms). Dr. Marshall’s research found that this species can exert over 500 pounds of bite force with their jaws to crush mollusks and crabs. https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/215/23/4166/11274/The-ontogenetic-scaling-of-bite-force-and-head

Be sure to stop by Galveston Island Brewing, a local partner of the GCSTR, and try their Loggerhead Lager beer in celebration of Loggerheads today! A portion of the proceeds of this beverage come back directly to the GCSTR to help fund our conservation programs!

Learn more about these incredible creatures at www.seaturtleweek.com/loggerhead-day.

June 11th is Olive Ridley Day!Olive ridley sea turtles are named for their olive-colored shells. They live in tropical w...
06/11/2026

June 11th is Olive Ridley Day!

Olive ridley sea turtles are named for their olive-colored shells. They live in tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. They are known for arribadas, mass nesting events where tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of females come ashore together to lay eggs. Arribada means “arrival” in Spanish.

Today’s Threat of the Day: Harvesting sea turtles for their meat and eggs. Despite legal protections in many countries, sea turtle meat and eggs are still consumed in some regions. This threatens olive ridleys and other sea turtle species. Eating sea turtle products can also pose serious health risks, exposing people to bacteria, parasites, biotoxins, and environmental contaminants. Sea turtle tissues may contain high levels of heavy metals and organochlorine compounds, which can cause neurological damage, kidney disease, liver cancer, and developmental problems in fetuses and children.

Learn more about Olive Ridleys at http://www.seeturtles.org/olive-ridley-turtles and more about this threat here:http://www.seaturtleweek.com/consumption

Today's Threat of the Day: Ocean PollutionSea turtles are vulnerable to ocean pollution at every life stage. This includ...
06/10/2026

Today's Threat of the Day: Ocean Pollution

Sea turtles are vulnerable to ocean pollution at every life stage. This includes heavy metals, PCBs, petroleum products, microplastics, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), agricultural or industrial runoff containing fertilizers, chemicals, excess nutrients, and untreated waste.

All of these can have lasting impacts on sea turtles as contaminants accumulate in their tissues and organs. Prolonged exposure may weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to disease and mortality. One major concern is fibropapillomatosis, a highly infectious herpesvirus-associated disease that causes rapidly growing tumors. These tumors can impair vision and mobility, increasing vulnerability to predators and boat strikes.

Learn more about how pollution affects sea turtles: www.seeturtles.org/ocean-pollution

continues today with our Texas State sea turtle: Kemp’s ridleys.This species is the smallest and most critically endan...
06/10/2026

continues today with our Texas State sea turtle: Kemp’s ridleys.

This species is the smallest and most critically endangered. Their diet primarily consists of blue crabs and they can be found throughout the Gulf, with their main nesting sites in Mexico and Texas. Fisheries and poaching brought them to the brink of extinction by the 1980’s. Binational agreements between the United States and Mexico have helped conservationists bring their numbers from 300 nesting females to roughly 11,000 nesting females today.

This is one of the most frequently encountered species on the upper Texas coast. Between nesting, rescue and rehab, we work to conserve them through all life stages. Remember to call the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline if you find a sea turtle on the beach, or accidentally catch one while fishing.

Learn more about Kemp’s ridleys at https://www.seaturtleweek.com/kemps-ridley-day.

Today’s Threat of the Day: Coastal Development!Development on the coast can affect sea turtles in many ways. Lights can ...
06/09/2026

Today’s Threat of the Day: Coastal Development!

Development on the coast can affect sea turtles in many ways. Lights can deter nesting turtles and attract hatchlings, beach armoring and construction prevents nesting, and with development comes pollution. Learn more about this how coastal development and tourism threatens sea turtles here: www.seeturtles.org/coastal-development

Today’s species of the day is the Australian Flatback! Can you guess where they are found? These unique sea turtles en...
06/09/2026

Today’s species of the day is the Australian Flatback! Can you guess where they are found? These unique sea turtles enjoy feasting on jellyfish, sea cucumbers, and soft corals. Discover more about flatbacks at (seaturtleweek.com/flatback-day).

06/08/2026

kicks off on June 8th with ! 🌊

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research is the permitted lead organization and first responder for all sea turtle-related activities from the Louisiana border to East Matagorda Bay. Our team is on the front lines, responding to nesting and stranded sea turtles, conducting research, and working to protect threatened and endangered sea turtle species along the Texas coast.

As we celebrate both Sea Turtle Week and World Ocean Day, we are grateful for the opportunity to share information about sea turtles from around the world while highlighting the conservation work being done right here in Texas to protect and recover our local sea turtle populations. Healthy oceans are essential for sea turtles and countless other marine species, making ocean conservation a responsibility we all share.

This year, World Ocean Day is especially meaningful as Texas is experiencing an extraordinary Kemp's ridley nesting season. The GCSTR Team is proud to have been a part of this conservation effort for over a decade. Yesterday alone, 75 Kemp's ridley sea turtles nested along the Texas coast, bringing the statewide total to nearly 600 nests for the 2026 season. These remarkable numbers highlight the importance of continued conservation efforts and healthy marine ecosystems.

Follow our page to see more Sea Turtle Week posts throughout the week! If you'd like to donate to our mission, please visit: https://give.am/SupportGulfCenterforSeaTurtleResearch

06/07/2026

Sea Turtle Week begins tomorrow! Why should sharks have all the fun? 🐢🦈

Sea turtles have coexisted with sharks for millions of years. Their shells provide protection during predator encounters, helping them survive injuries that might otherwise be fatal. Our patient Drumstick is living proof. After surviving a shark bite that removed a portion of their carapace, Drumstick stranded covered in epibiota and in need of extensive care.

Follow along this week as we spotlight each of the seven sea turtle species found worldwide and explore the threats affecting their survival.

We have our 8th Kemp’s ridley nest for the 2026 season!🐢🥚 We received a hotline call at 4:30 a.m. this morning from a be...
06/07/2026

We have our 8th Kemp’s ridley nest for the 2026 season!🐢🥚

We received a hotline call at 4:30 a.m. this morning from a beachgoer reporting a sea turtle heading toward the dunes near 45th Street and Seawall Boulevard. This nesting mama laid 104 eggs before safely returning to the Gulf.

We appreciate community members who help us keep an eye out for these endangered and threatened species during nesting season! If you encounter a sea turtle on the beach please keep at least 50 feet away and report it immediately to 1-866-TURTLE-5. All sea turtles are federally and state protected, and it is illegal to handle them. It’s shaping up to be a great nesting season!

If you would like to help out our cause, please consider donating to our operations fund: http://give.am/supportgulfcenterforseaturtleresearch

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200 Seawolf Parkway, Dept. Marine Biology, Bld 3029 Suite 280
Galveston, TX
77553

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