For Immediate Release
Press Release
Contact: Ryan Murphy
631.702.1700
Town of Southampton, NY July 31, 2024 — The Town of Southampton Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management participated in the in the release of two rehabilitated cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society on July 30, 2024.
The two cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles were flown down to Southampton from New England as part of an effort to rescue and rehabilitate cold-stunned sea turtles. They were nursed back to good health by the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society at their Westhampton Critical Care Sea Turtle Facility. The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is one of the most endangered sea turtles in the world and can be found on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Endangered Species List.
Through an ongoing partnership between Southampton Town and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, representatives from the Southampton Town Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management’s Animal Control, Fire Marshals and Neighborhood Services divisions were joined by a large crowd of spectators and supporters at 6:00PM on Tuesday July, 30th at Ponquogue Beach to celebrate the release of two sea turtles. The Town routinely works with Atlantic Marine Conservation Society to respond to stranded and deceased marine life, as well as to provide marine mammal awareness training to Town staff.
Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Ryan Murphy, who helped carry one of the turtles down to the release point on the beach, stated that, “We are thrilled to participate in what I have dubbed Turtle Tuesday. The staff at Atlantic Marine Conservation Society are great partners to the Town and we’re so happy to join them in celebrating their efforts and the release of these two turtles today.”
Southampton Town Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara assisted in carrying the second turtle. McNamara also reflected on the event in saying, “It is amazing to be able to support the conservation efforts of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in the release of these sea turtles back to the ocean. I’m honored to play a role today and to continue to support the relationship between the Town and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.”
