GULF SHORES — Conservation advocates and marine scientists gathered last Thursday to highlight Alabama's marine wildlife and discuss the threats facing animals in the state's coastal waters.

Hosted by the Alabama Coastal Foundation and Healthy Gulf, the event featured presentations, short films and educational displays focused on sea turtles, whales, manatees and other marine species.

Speakers discussed ongoing conservation efforts, recent research and ways residents can help protect wildlife along Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Christian Wagley, Florida and Alabama coastal organizer for Healthy Gulf, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the wildlife that lives in and around the Gulf.

"This is a really incredibly important time for our whole wildlife," Wagley said.

Wagley described the Gulf's offshore waters as a biologically rich environment that supports a wide range of marine life. Among the species discussed was the Gulf's resident population of North Atlantic rice's whales, one of the rarest whale species in the world.

The whales face threats from ship traffic, underwater noise, oil and gas activity and the potential for major oil spills, Wagley said.

He also emphasized the role of conservation laws and public involvement in protecting endangered species.

"Your voice absolutely matters," Wagley said.

Wagley encouraged attendees to contact elected officials, sign up for conservation updates and participate in local advocacy efforts.

SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON CONTINUES

Mark Berte, executive director of the Alabama Coastal Foundation, discussed the organization's work and its partnership with Share the Beach, Alabama's sea turtle conservation program.

Berte said the foundation focuses on protecting Alabama's coastal environment through cooperation, education and public participation.

"The more we do that, the more people will want to protect it," Berte said.

Berte also provided an update on Alabama's sea turtle nesting season. At the time of the presentation, 95 nests had been recorded, matching the previous year's total. More than 1,200 hatchlings had reached the Gulf, with the nesting season still underway.

The Share the Beach program has 546 volunteers participating this year, Berte said. Volunteers monitor beaches, document nests and help protect nesting turtles and hatchlings.

Education is another major part of the conservation effort. The Alabama Coastal Foundation provides educational programming for fifth-grade students across the state, covering sea turtles and other coastal species and habitats.

Berte also reminded beachgoers that simple actions can help protect wildlife, including filling in holes before leaving the beach and removing items from the sand at night.

MANATEES INCREASINGLY SEEN IN ALABAMA WATERS

Ruth Carmichael, senior marine scientist and professor at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, discussed the growing number of manatee sightings in Alabama.

Carmichael talked about the Sea Lab's marine mammal research and stranding-response programs, which include documenting animals, responding to animals in distress, conducting health assessments and studying how marine mammals use Gulf Coast waters.

Researchers have also developed long-term datasets that can help track changes in animal populations and their environment.

"Things are changing," Carmichael said.

Manatee sightings have increased across several Gulf and Atlantic states, including Alabama. Researchers are also seeing manatees in Alabama during colder months when the animals historically would have been expected to remain farther south.

Carmichael said researchers are studying what is driving the increase.

The change may not simply reflect a shift in the species' range. A growing manatee population and limited habitat could also be contributing to more animals moving into areas outside their traditional concentrations.

Researchers investigate causes of death, study population dynamics and document how healthy animals use their habitat.

"These long-term data sets are really critical for that," Carmichael said.

Cold stress remains a major cause of manatee mortality, while vessel strikes are another significant threat. Carmichael described a recent incident near Gulf Shores in which a manatee was struck by a vessel and died.

Despite those threats, researchers have documented manatees spending more time in Alabama waters, including animals that appear to be feeding, reproducing and using the area as habitat.

Carmichael also noted that the broader manatee population has grown substantially over the past several decades, suggesting that conservation efforts have contributed to the species' recovery.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT REMAINS KEY

While the event focused on several different species, speakers repeatedly emphasized that public involvement is an important part of conservation.

For sea turtles, that can mean volunteering with beach-monitoring programs, filling in holes and reducing disturbances on nesting beaches. For marine mammals, residents can report sightings, support research and learn more about the threats facing animals in local waters.

Wagley also encouraged people to contact elected officials and speak out when protections for endangered species are at risk.

Together, the presentations highlighted both the challenges facing Alabama's marine wildlife and the progress that can come from research, conservation programs and public involvement. Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized that protecting Alabama's marine life starts with knowing what is here and understanding how people can help protect it. 

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.