Last Minute Turtle Release and Institute Moves to New Home

On Friday, December 5, 2025, at 8:30 am central time, the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute (formerly Gulf World Marine Institute) will be releasing “Stella”, a subadult Kemp’s ridley sea turtle back into the Gulf in front of the Carousel Supermarket at 19440 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, Florida. Please note that the event start time is listed as 8:15 to encourage attendees to arrive early!

This Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, a rare individual to be brought into rehabilitation at Gulf World Marine Institute, was found entangled in fishing line around both front flippers and his/her neck on August 16, 2025. Kayakers saw Stella struggling to swim, and with the aid of an FWC sea turtle biologist, were able to cut the fishing line tethering Stella to the bottom. Stella was brought to the facility for medical assessment, where the entangling material was safely removed. Stella was given antibiotics and regular medical treatments, and quickly regained a good appetite (favoring squid and herring). After a final medical assessment, Stella has been given medical and FWC clearance for release!

Stella is officially the last sea turtle being released from the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute/Gulf World Marine Institute’s original rehabilitation facility. As the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute prepares to move into its new home, it faces a future filled with opportunity, and challenges. The relocation and expansion will require significant financial support, partnerships, and volunteer engagement. While we expect this short-term hiatus between facilities to last less than 1 year, support and donations from the community would help the reestablishment to move much faster. The relocation will require considerable funding for infrastructure, upgrades, and habitat installations. To ensure the continued success of the program, the Institute has launched a fundraising campaign, with a goal of $300,000. To donate, sponsor, or partner with the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute, please visit www.gwmi.info or call (850) 890-5573. Please rest assured, locally stranded marine mammals and sea turtles will still receive the highest level of care in response efforts during this time.

Florida Panhandle Marine Institute is grateful to those involved in the rescue and transport of these sea turtles, including the kayakers, FWC sea turtle biologists, and the PCB lifeguards! This subadult Kemp’s ridley has been medically cleared by veterinary staff and has been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

FPMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.