With manatees and sea turtles now widespread in Georgia’s
coastal waters, boaters should be on the lookout for these big
and rare animals. Boat strikes are a leading cause of sea turtle
strandings and manatee injuries and deaths. Manatees and all sea
turtle species found in Georgia are protected by federal and
state laws. Tips on what to watch for in the coast’s murky
waters differ. A “footprint” of swirls may mark a 1-ton manatee
underwater. A 300-pound loggerhead sea turtle may show only its
head when it surfaces. The best advice: Be aware, and be
prepared to slow down or steer clear. State Sea Turtle Program
Coordinator Mark Dodd of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources said that while sea turtles are considered common on
the ocean side of barrier islands, they also frequent tidal
waters. “Any time you’re in a tidal creek or sound, that’s a
place to look for turtles,” Dodd said. More than 50 sea turtles
have been found dead or injured on the beach or strand in
Georgia this year, double the highest to