Congress Moves to Fund Sea Turtle Rescue Act

Congress is close to passing the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, which would establish a $33 million federal grant program to aid in the rescue, rehabilitation, and research of stranded sea turtles, as strandings have surged in New England. The number of cold-stunned turtles washing up on Cape Cod has dramatically increased from fewer than 50 in 2000 to 866 in 2022, prompting urgent action from lawmakers like Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. He warns that all six U.S. sea turtle species are threatened or endangered and face extinction without support. The average annual cold-stunned turtle count in Massachusetts has also risen from 139 two decades ago to 739 in recent years. The act has garnered bipartisan support, with a similar measure previously passed in the House. The Senate version was placed on the calendar after unanimous committee approval on July 31, and is co-sponsored by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.