Sea turtle released as Gulf World Marine Institute announces new name

A rehabilitated sea turtle was released back into the Gulf this morning as the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute announced its new name.

The injured turtle went through rehabilitation at the The Institute, which is now getting a new name.

Carlos, a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle, returned to the Gulf after being accidentally hooked at the M.B. Miller Pier in October.

“We were able to remove two hooks from him one in the mouth one in the shoulder very easily we kept him a few weeks just to make sure he was good in all other medical metrics he was good he has been eating and swimming very well so we released him this morning,” said Lauren Albrittain, stranding coordinator for the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute.

New name reflects expanded response area

At the release, the Marine Institute announced its new name: the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute (FPMI).

“Same mission, same work, but just a little bit of a different name, and we are excited for the refresh. We picked that name because, as of last year, we also do marine mammal work, and in 2024, we actually began full coverage of the entire panhandle as the primary marine mammal responders,” Albrittain said. “This is the goal of what we do, so it is nice to have this success and share it with people, and there was a good crowd, so it was a very wonderful morning.”