WHEREAS, there are seven species of sea turtles around the world and six are classified as threatened or endangered; and
WHEREAS, five of the seven sea turtle species have been documented nesting on North Carolina’s oceanfront beaches; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina beaches are important sea turtle habitats that span 330 miles of oceanfront beach and are key to contributing hatchlings to the Southeastern United States loggerhead sea turtle population; and
WHEREAS, an average of 450 individual loggerhead turtles nest on North Carolina beaches each year and this equates to 1,400 nests that produce nearly 95,000 hatchlings; and
WHEREAS, the estuarine and coastal waters of North Carolina provide important foraging habitat for juvenile sea turtles for Spring, Summer, and Fall months; and
WHEREAS, threats to sea turtles in North Carolina waters include habitat loss and degradation from coastal development, climate change, nighttime light pollution, incidental capture in commercial and recreational fishing gear, boat collisions, and marine pollution; and
WHEREAS, efforts made by state, federal, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) including, but not limited to, Bald Head Island Conservancy, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, and the North Carolina Audubon monitor more than 95 percent of the state’s 330 miles of coastline daily during the nesting season to find and protect sea turtle nests; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina Aquariums and The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center rehabilitate and release dozens of sick and injured sea turtles each year along with numerous volunteers and staff that work endlessly to help protect the sea turtles of North Carolina;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 12 – 18, 2022, as “NORTH CAROLINA SEA TURTLE WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.