Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
@seaturtlecenter.bsky.social
The mission of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research is to facilitate research activities that will ultimately result in restoration of sea turtle populations. All photos of sea turtles taken under USFWS Federal Permit No. TE776123-0.
Save the date for NestFest 2026!
Come be part of our annual Texas beach cleanup and help protect vital nesting habitats for sea turtles and shorebirds!
March 10th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Locations on Follet’s Island, Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and Quintana Beach.
m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp...
Come be part of our annual Texas beach cleanup and help protect vital nesting habitats for sea turtles and shorebirds!
March 10th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Locations on Follet’s Island, Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and Quintana Beach.
m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp...
December 19, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Save the date for NestFest 2026!
Come be part of our annual Texas beach cleanup and help protect vital nesting habitats for sea turtles and shorebirds!
March 10th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Locations on Follet’s Island, Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and Quintana Beach.
m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp...
Come be part of our annual Texas beach cleanup and help protect vital nesting habitats for sea turtles and shorebirds!
March 10th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Locations on Follet’s Island, Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and Quintana Beach.
m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp...
If you see a sea turtle while fishing remove your line from the water and report entangled or caught sea turtles to the Texas State Sea Turtle Hotline 1-866-TURTLE-5 which our team monitors 24/7 365 days a year!
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #saveseaturtles #debrisfreeseas #turtlesagainsttrash
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #saveseaturtles #debrisfreeseas #turtlesagainsttrash
December 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
If you see a sea turtle while fishing remove your line from the water and report entangled or caught sea turtles to the Texas State Sea Turtle Hotline 1-866-TURTLE-5 which our team monitors 24/7 365 days a year!
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #saveseaturtles #debrisfreeseas #turtlesagainsttrash
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #saveseaturtles #debrisfreeseas #turtlesagainsttrash
Seawolf Park is a hotspot for sea turtle entanglements and accidental fishing captures, and the GCSTR permitted Rescue and Recovery team has responded to 7 entanglements at this site this year!
December 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Seawolf Park is a hotspot for sea turtle entanglements and accidental fishing captures, and the GCSTR permitted Rescue and Recovery team has responded to 7 entanglements at this site this year!
Last week our Marine Debris Team completed our final survey of 2025 at Seawolf Park! We removed over 85 pounds of marine debris from the shoreline and in-water areas around the fishing pier!
December 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Last week our Marine Debris Team completed our final survey of 2025 at Seawolf Park! We removed over 85 pounds of marine debris from the shoreline and in-water areas around the fishing pier!
We want to take a moment to recognize our GCSTR Rescue & Recovery team for their outstanding work throughout November!
We’re continuing to see entanglement cases, and our team shows up each time with dedication. Their hard work means everything to our sea turtle conservation mission.
We’re continuing to see entanglement cases, and our team shows up each time with dedication. Their hard work means everything to our sea turtle conservation mission.
December 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We want to take a moment to recognize our GCSTR Rescue & Recovery team for their outstanding work throughout November!
We’re continuing to see entanglement cases, and our team shows up each time with dedication. Their hard work means everything to our sea turtle conservation mission.
We’re continuing to see entanglement cases, and our team shows up each time with dedication. Their hard work means everything to our sea turtle conservation mission.
This sea turtle had fishing line wrapped around its flippers and neck and had ingested the line. Patients like this are a reminder to always dispose of fishing line. Please report any entangled or stranded sea turtles so our permitted team can respond. We answer the hotline 24/7, 365 days a year.
December 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This sea turtle had fishing line wrapped around its flippers and neck and had ingested the line. Patients like this are a reminder to always dispose of fishing line. Please report any entangled or stranded sea turtles so our permitted team can respond. We answer the hotline 24/7, 365 days a year.
Thanks to the member of the public who called 1-866-TURTLE-5, our rescue team was able to recover the turtle, and our rehab team along with our partners at the Houston Zoo veterinary staff provided the care needed for a full recovery.
December 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Thanks to the member of the public who called 1-866-TURTLE-5, our rescue team was able to recover the turtle, and our rehab team along with our partners at the Houston Zoo veterinary staff provided the care needed for a full recovery.
Another GCSTR patient headed home!
This juvenile green sea turtle was found in October at Seawolf Park, entangled in fishing line.
This juvenile green sea turtle was found in October at Seawolf Park, entangled in fishing line.
December 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Another GCSTR patient headed home!
This juvenile green sea turtle was found in October at Seawolf Park, entangled in fishing line.
This juvenile green sea turtle was found in October at Seawolf Park, entangled in fishing line.
We extend appreciation to members of the public who reported these incidents through the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline. Our permitted teams operate across the upper Texas coast, from East Matagorda Bay to the Texas–Louisiana border and remain on call 24/7 to provide assistance to any sea turtle in need.
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We extend appreciation to members of the public who reported these incidents through the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline. Our permitted teams operate across the upper Texas coast, from East Matagorda Bay to the Texas–Louisiana border and remain on call 24/7 to provide assistance to any sea turtle in need.
These juvenile turtles faced a variety of hazards, including entrapment in a dredge pipe, diversion into a chemical intake canal, fishing-line capture, and severe entanglement cases, each requiring prompt intervention.
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
These juvenile turtles faced a variety of hazards, including entrapment in a dredge pipe, diversion into a chemical intake canal, fishing-line capture, and severe entanglement cases, each requiring prompt intervention.
The GCSTR Rescue and Rehabilitation team has been exceptionally busy this fall!
In the last few weeks, quite a few juvenile green sea turtles have found themselves in dangerous predicaments!
In the last few weeks, quite a few juvenile green sea turtles have found themselves in dangerous predicaments!
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The GCSTR Rescue and Rehabilitation team has been exceptionally busy this fall!
In the last few weeks, quite a few juvenile green sea turtles have found themselves in dangerous predicaments!
In the last few weeks, quite a few juvenile green sea turtles have found themselves in dangerous predicaments!
For nearly a decade, our conservation work has been supported by NRDA-DWH litigation funds that end this month. To maintain our conservation programs including sea turtle patrol, rehabilitation efforts, rescue and recovery response, and research, we urgently need the help of our community. We are
December 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
For nearly a decade, our conservation work has been supported by NRDA-DWH litigation funds that end this month. To maintain our conservation programs including sea turtle patrol, rehabilitation efforts, rescue and recovery response, and research, we urgently need the help of our community. We are
Happy Thanksgiving from the GCSTR family! 🦃🍂🐢
Our work to rescue and care for sea turtles never stops, and we’re so grateful for the staff and volunteers who show up every single day, holidays included, to protect and heal our patients.
Our work to rescue and care for sea turtles never stops, and we’re so grateful for the staff and volunteers who show up every single day, holidays included, to protect and heal our patients.
November 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from the GCSTR family! 🦃🍂🐢
Our work to rescue and care for sea turtles never stops, and we’re so grateful for the staff and volunteers who show up every single day, holidays included, to protect and heal our patients.
Our work to rescue and care for sea turtles never stops, and we’re so grateful for the staff and volunteers who show up every single day, holidays included, to protect and heal our patients.
Want to help us make #debrisfreeseas and protect sea turtles and shorebirds? Join our Marine Debris Program!
forms.gle/Qq8cfFo6zyk1...
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #holdfast #saveseaturtles #sayyestoseaturtles #communityimpact #commitment #turtlesagainsttrash
forms.gle/Qq8cfFo6zyk1...
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #holdfast #saveseaturtles #sayyestoseaturtles #communityimpact #commitment #turtlesagainsttrash
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Want to help us make #debrisfreeseas and protect sea turtles and shorebirds? Join our Marine Debris Program!
forms.gle/Qq8cfFo6zyk1...
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #holdfast #saveseaturtles #sayyestoseaturtles #communityimpact #commitment #turtlesagainsttrash
forms.gle/Qq8cfFo6zyk1...
#gcstr #everybodyrow #sharethegulf #holdfast #saveseaturtles #sayyestoseaturtles #communityimpact #commitment #turtlesagainsttrash
Plastic pollution is especially dangerous for sea turtles and shorebirds. They can mistake plastic for food or become entangled in it, which can lead to injury or even death. Every piece we remove helps protect these endangered animals and the habitats they depend on.
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Plastic pollution is especially dangerous for sea turtles and shorebirds. They can mistake plastic for food or become entangled in it, which can lead to injury or even death. Every piece we remove helps protect these endangered animals and the habitats they depend on.
Our Marine Debris Team was out on Rettilon Road Monday in Bolivar helping keep our coastline clean!🚮🐢
We removed over 310 pounds of debris including almost 4,000 pieces of plastic! Thank you to our volunteers for making a difference and to volunteers who stayed to help us sort the marine debris!
We removed over 310 pounds of debris including almost 4,000 pieces of plastic! Thank you to our volunteers for making a difference and to volunteers who stayed to help us sort the marine debris!
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Our Marine Debris Team was out on Rettilon Road Monday in Bolivar helping keep our coastline clean!🚮🐢
We removed over 310 pounds of debris including almost 4,000 pieces of plastic! Thank you to our volunteers for making a difference and to volunteers who stayed to help us sort the marine debris!
We removed over 310 pounds of debris including almost 4,000 pieces of plastic! Thank you to our volunteers for making a difference and to volunteers who stayed to help us sort the marine debris!
We want to take a moment to recognize our GCSTR Rescue & Recovery team for their outstanding work throughout October!
We’ve recently seen an increase in entanglement cases, and our team has continued to show up with incredible dedication.
We’ve recently seen an increase in entanglement cases, and our team has continued to show up with incredible dedication.
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
We want to take a moment to recognize our GCSTR Rescue & Recovery team for their outstanding work throughout October!
We’ve recently seen an increase in entanglement cases, and our team has continued to show up with incredible dedication.
We’ve recently seen an increase in entanglement cases, and our team has continued to show up with incredible dedication.
🚨New patient alert!🚨
This juvenile green sea turtle was found entangled in fishing line along the Freeport Jetty. Thanks to the public callers who reported this incident to the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our GCSTR permitted team was able to jump into action to rescue this turtle.
This juvenile green sea turtle was found entangled in fishing line along the Freeport Jetty. Thanks to the public callers who reported this incident to the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our GCSTR permitted team was able to jump into action to rescue this turtle.
November 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM
🚨New patient alert!🚨
This juvenile green sea turtle was found entangled in fishing line along the Freeport Jetty. Thanks to the public callers who reported this incident to the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our GCSTR permitted team was able to jump into action to rescue this turtle.
This juvenile green sea turtle was found entangled in fishing line along the Freeport Jetty. Thanks to the public callers who reported this incident to the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our GCSTR permitted team was able to jump into action to rescue this turtle.
they need and a second chance at rehabilitation.
It is our intent to highlight our public callers, but if we have a several strandings in a week sometimes our small team misses an opportunity to celebrate these folks.
It is our intent to highlight our public callers, but if we have a several strandings in a week sometimes our small team misses an opportunity to celebrate these folks.
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
they need and a second chance at rehabilitation.
It is our intent to highlight our public callers, but if we have a several strandings in a week sometimes our small team misses an opportunity to celebrate these folks.
It is our intent to highlight our public callers, but if we have a several strandings in a week sometimes our small team misses an opportunity to celebrate these folks.
We’re so grateful for every public caller who reports stranded or injured sea turtles to the Texas State Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at 1-866-TURTLE-5. Our GCSTR permitted team monitors this line 24/7, ready to respond when a turtle needs help. These reports ensure stranded turtles get the care
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We’re so grateful for every public caller who reports stranded or injured sea turtles to the Texas State Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at 1-866-TURTLE-5. Our GCSTR permitted team monitors this line 24/7, ready to respond when a turtle needs help. These reports ensure stranded turtles get the care
The GCSTR Outreach Team is at the Armand Bayou Fall Fest all weekend!
Stop by tomorrow (10 AM–4 PM, 8500 Bay Area Blvd in Seabrook, Tx) to meet the GCSTR team and learn how you can help protect Texas sea turtles! 🐢
Stop by tomorrow (10 AM–4 PM, 8500 Bay Area Blvd in Seabrook, Tx) to meet the GCSTR team and learn how you can help protect Texas sea turtles! 🐢
November 8, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The GCSTR Outreach Team is at the Armand Bayou Fall Fest all weekend!
Stop by tomorrow (10 AM–4 PM, 8500 Bay Area Blvd in Seabrook, Tx) to meet the GCSTR team and learn how you can help protect Texas sea turtles! 🐢
Stop by tomorrow (10 AM–4 PM, 8500 Bay Area Blvd in Seabrook, Tx) to meet the GCSTR team and learn how you can help protect Texas sea turtles! 🐢
Each case provides valuable data, though, and the GCSTR conducts necropsies and collects samples to better understand this syndrome, which affects sea turtles throughout the Gulf.
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Each case provides valuable data, though, and the GCSTR conducts necropsies and collects samples to better understand this syndrome, which affects sea turtles throughout the Gulf.
Loggerhead sea turtles occasionally strand in our region exhibiting Debilitated Turtle Syndrome (DTS), a condition characterized by severe emaciation, extensive epibiota and internal bleeding, the cause of which remains unknown.
November 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Loggerhead sea turtles occasionally strand in our region exhibiting Debilitated Turtle Syndrome (DTS), a condition characterized by severe emaciation, extensive epibiota and internal bleeding, the cause of which remains unknown.
…and transport him to the GCSTR Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment.Despite several days of intensive care, including veterinary support from our partners at the Houston Zoo, the turtle unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
November 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
…and transport him to the GCSTR Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment.Despite several days of intensive care, including veterinary support from our partners at the Houston Zoo, the turtle unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Earlier this week, a loggerhead sea turtle stranded on the Bolivar Peninsula. Thanks to members of the public who called the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our permitted rescue team was able to respond quickly, carefully excavate the turtle from the sand…
November 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Earlier this week, a loggerhead sea turtle stranded on the Bolivar Peninsula. Thanks to members of the public who called the 1-866-TURTLE-5 hotline, our permitted rescue team was able to respond quickly, carefully excavate the turtle from the sand…