Climate Change Leaves Chesapeake Turtles Stunned

Sea turtles found stunned, comatose, from cold water

Sea turtles are being found stranded on Virginia beaches in unusually high numbers after hitting a sudden patch of cold water that leaves them stunned or comatose, according to local experts.

Most of the sea turtles have been found on the Eastern Shore, but one was found last week in Newport News and several others were scattered throughout south Hampton Roads, officials say.

"These animals often appear dead when they are on the beach, but are actually in a coma," Christina Trapani of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program said in a prepared statement. "If not found and rescued quickly, the turtles will succumb to the cold temperatures."

It's an effect called "cold stunning," and members of the public who find sea turtles on the beach or floating on the surface of the water are asked to report the sightings immediately to the aquarium's stranding response team at 757-385-7575.

We rarely see sea turtles this far up the Bay, but it does happen.  I remember one evening in quiet weather out fishing alone when a big one surfaced a few yard from the boat, stuck its head out of the water, and gave me the once over before going on its way.  For every one you see, probably 10 or more go by unseen in our murky water.