From Rescue to Release: Maisy’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Journey 🐢🌊

At Reel Groovy Experiences, our passion for the Gulf of Mexico extends far beyond charter fishing and boat tours. We believe that protecting the vibrant marine ecosystem of Panama City Beach and St. Andrews Bay is essential to preserving our waters for generations to come.

That is why we are proud official sponsors of the Gulf World Marine Institute, Inc. (GWMI)—a dedicated local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded sea turtles and marine mammals along the Florida Panhandle.

Today, we are excited to share the inspiring recovery story of Maisy, a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) who was given a second chance at life in the wild.

The Saint Joseph Bay Cold-Stunning Event

In late January 2025, a severe winter cold front pushed through Gulf County, Florida, dropping regional air temperatures and plunging coastal water temperatures below 50°F.

Because sea turtles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) reptiles, their body temperatures mirror their surrounding water. When temperatures drop rapidly, sea turtles can experience cold-stunning—a hypothermic condition causing shock, lethargy, and an inability to swim, forage, or surface for air.

During this single week-long cold snap, the team at Gulf World Marine Institute responded to an extraordinary conservation crisis, rescuing over 1,200 cold-stunned sea turtles washed ashore in nearby Saint Joseph Bay and surrounding coastal inlets.

Maisy’s Path to Healing & Medical Care

While many of the rescued turtles were safely warmed, evaluated, and returned to the ocean within days, Maisy required intensive, long-term veterinary care.

When admitted to the GWMI rehabilitation facility, veterinary specialists diagnosed Maisy with two severe health challenges:

1. Monofilament Line Entanglement: Deep, restrictive line entanglement wounds around her right front flipper that required specialized wound care and physical therapy.
2. Fibropapillomatosis (FP): A viral disease causing benign skin tumors in sea turtles. Fortunately, Maisy’s lesions were minor and did not impair her vision or internal organs.

Under round-the-clock observation, medical care, and specialized nutrition from the dedicated marine biologists at GWMI, Maisy slowly regained her strength, healed her flipper injuries, and cleared her health milestones.

A Triumphant Return to the Wild

After six months of dedicated rehabilitation, Maisy received her full medical clearance! In July, the GWMI care team carried Maisy back to the shoreline, watching her swim triumphantly into the warm Gulf waters of her natural wild habitat.

Maisy’s successful rescue and release highlight the power of community-wide conservation. This milestone was made possible through collaborative efforts across numerous agencies and regional partners, including:

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) & NOAA Fisheries
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Law Enforcement
• St. Joseph Peninsula State Park & Florida Coastal Conservancy
• Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol
• Tyndall AFB & Eglin AFB Environmental Units
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service & Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

How Boaters & Anglers Can Protect Local Sea Turtles

Every deep-sea charter or dolphin tour out of St. Andrew’s Marina serves as a daily reminder of how fragile our marine environment is. Whether you are fishing off Panama City Beach or cruising around Shell Island, here is how you can help protect sea turtles on the water:

• 👀 Watch the Water: Keep a sharp lookout for floating or stranded sea turtles, especially near jetties, passes, and bays during sudden winter temperature drops.
• 🎣 Practice Safe Fishing: Properly dispose of monofilament line, braided line, and trash in designated marina recycling bins. Never discard active tackle or nets into the bay.
• 🐢 Give Space: If you spot sea turtles while boating, slow down to idle speed and maintain a safe distance.
• 📞 Report Stranded Wildlife: Save the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline (888-404-3922) to report injured, entangled, or cold-stunned sea turtles immediately.

Supporting Ocean Conservation in Panama City Beach

Sponsorships and community donations directly fund the medical supplies, food, and specialized rehab tanks required to care for animals like Maisy. When you book a trip with Reel Groovy Experiences, you are supporting a local charter family that actively invests back into the preservation of our local marine life.

Stay tuned to our blog for more conservation updates, and thank you for helping us keep Panama City Beach's waters clean, safe, and thriving!

👉 Learn More About Our Eco-Tours & Private Fishing Charters or call Captain Gary Ray at (850) 774-9007 to book your next adventure aboard the Reel GRooV!