» BEACH AND BAY
Turtle trouble Entanglement, boat strikes threaten endangered animals in South Bay By AMY STEWARD
S
ea turtles have been around for more than 100 million years. It’s no wonder they are a symbol of longevity. Turtles also symbolize patience, wisdom and endurance. Sadly, today sea turtles are on the endangered species list. Many people are surprised to learn there are 60 to100 green sea turtles in South San Diego Bay at any given time. Before the South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista was decommissioned in 2010, it created a whirlpool of sorts in which turtles liked to dwell. After the plant was shut down, scientists worried the turtle population would decline, but this proved not to be the case.
38 Coronado365.com
In fact, the South Bay green sea turtle population has risen in recent years due to an increase of protected turtle nesting beaches in Mexico. Adult females migrate to these beaches every two to three years to lay their eggs. Returning juveniles mature in South San Diego Bay for several years before embarking on their own sojourn. San Diego is an important habitat for green sea turtles, which have been recorded in the bay since the mid-1800s. South Bay, which is shallower than the central and northern parts of San Diego Bay, has lots of eel grass beds and is designated as the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
