Program Overview

The South Carolina Marine Turtle Conservation Program began in 1977 with beach management research. The program further developed in the early eighties with the formation of the nest protection and stranding volunteer networks along the coast of South Carolina. Today, the program encompasses research, management, monitoring and education within the local, regional and international communities. More specifically, this program implements management techniques to mitigate activities that may impact sea turtles and provides training and support to more than 1,100 volunteers across the coast who protect nests and document sea turtles that wash ashore (strandings). DNR staff members also perform necropsies on fresh dead strandings and respond to live strandings in need of care.  We are indebted to the continued passion, dedication and effort of our volunteers and staff.

This program is funded in part with grants from NOAA Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. Data presented on this web site are not to be used in any publication, product, or commercial application without prior written consent of the data owner.

SCDNR Sea Turtle Program
PO Box 12559
Charleston, SC 29422
Physical Address: 217 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
843-953-9015 Main Line
843-953-9282 Fax
coastbio@dnr.sc.gov
www.dnr.sc.gov/seaturtle/

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Find out who to call if you find a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle.

If you find a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle, please call SCDNR's 24-hour 1-800-922-5431.

Please be prepared to answer the following questions:

1. What is the exact location of the animal?
2. Is the turtle alive or dead?
3. What is the approximate size of the turtle?
4. Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (This may indicate that the turtle has been previously documented.)
5. What is the location of the closest access point to the turtle?

If the turtle is alive, please be prepared to stay with it until help arrives.