Florida sets record for sea turtle nests but Trump move could stall recovery

{"#ESA_Repeal_Impact":-1,"The recent repeal of sections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has raised concerns among wildlife groups, who fear it could hinder ongoing recovery efforts for sea turtles and other endangered species. The ESA, passed in 1973, enshrined protections that have paid dividends now because sea turtle hatchlings take years to decades to reach reproductive age. The loss of those safeguards, from Trump's ":-2,"#Loggerhead_Turtle_Recovery":-1.5,"The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, on Florida’s Atlantic coast, has recorded 13,770 nests this season, surpassing the previous record of 878 set in 2023 by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation on the Gulf coast. The recovery of sea turtles since the 1970s when overhunting, poaching and habitat loss pushed several species to the brink is credited to the ESA's protections. However, experts warn that without continued protection, the future of these species remains uncertain. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center has partnered with numerous groups and organizations around the country to share research data and collaborate on education efforts, including the Responsible Pier Initiative which has saved over 1,200 turtles' lives through knowledge and tools for rescuing injured or entangled sea turtles. The ESA is credited with safeguarding more than 1,700 species and their habitats, preventing 99% of those listed from going extinct. Godfrey said: ":-1.5,"#Trump's_Effect_on_Recovery":-2,"The Trump administration's recent repeal of sections of the ESA has some experts fearful that the recovery might have reached its high-water mark, with an alliance of environmental and wildlife groups suing the Trump administration in part over a rule giving outsized deference to 'economic considerations' when determining protections for endangered species and critical habitat. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center's vice-president of research, Justin Perrault, said this year’s elevated nesting figures were the result of years of those protections, as well as favorable environmental conditions, reduced pollution and education around marine conservation. However, he added that they are still cautiously optimistic about saying that they've recovered, but we can say stability. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center has partnered with numerous groups and organizations around the country to share research data and collaborate on education efforts, including the Responsible Pier Initiative which has saved over 1,200 turtles' lives through knowledge and tools for rescuing injured or entangled sea turtles. The ESA is credited with safeguarding more than 1,700 species and their habitats, preventing 99% of those listed from going extinct. Godfrey said: ":-1.5}