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Been there, done that Memories of marching in Macy’s parade Page 9

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

A race of

perseverance Rescued turtle returned to the sea

Courtesy photo Targeted to open Dec. 1, Oregon’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed so consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted.

O r e g o n ’s Dungeness crab season delayed STAFF REPORT Counry Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo from Kyle Williams / SeaWorld Rescue Pumpkin washed ashore at Horsfall Campground in Coos County and was reported by a private citizen. She was initially treated at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and released back into the ocean by SeaWorld San Diego rescue teams following a year of recovery and rehabilitation.

Stranded sea turtle found near Coos Bay released a year later BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media, Inc.

T

he tides had taken a turn for the worst for the sea turtle dubbed “Pumpkin” in October, 2022. The endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle washed ashore at Horsfall Campground in Coos County. The sea turtle was found to be cold stunned – a condition that can render them incapable of eating or navigating. “Sea turtles can forage the open ocean off Oregon’s shores without issue during the summer—but if they don’t turn south before the weather changes, they risk getting caught in cold currents and winter storms,” said Courtney Klug, communications and marketing specialist with the Oregon Coast Aquarium. “As such, Oregon sees a marked increase in sea turtle strandings between fall and spring,” she said. Over the course of a year, a Many view collaboration between caring sea turtles professionals would turn Pumpkin the as magical, sea turtle’s stranding situation into a charismatic survival story. creatures — and Those involved in the rescue of the they are. They endangered sea turtle say it was a series play a vital role of key pieces that came together to make in supporting the rehabilitation a success. ocean health by “The citizen who first reported the maintaining sea animal did so quickly, and stayed grass beds and nearby to observe the animal and help transporting responders find it in a timely manner,” nutrients to said Klug. nesting dunes. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the initial Courtney Klug, stranding. They secured the sea turtle Oregon Coast and transferred it to Florence, where Aquarium they met staff from the Oregon Coast Aquarium. “From there, our dedicated team of aquarists sprang into action,” Klug said. The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is one of three wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the Pacific Northwest, and the only one in Oregon, authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide specialized care to endangered marine life, like sea otters and sea turtles. Aquarium staff determined newly-dubbed Pumpkin was a sub-adult female. Lethargic and cold-stunned, she required round-the-clock monitoring and treatment. Cold-stunned turtles present a unique challenge,

INDEX

Pre-season testing shows Dungeness crabs are too low in meat yield in some ocean areas, delaying Oregon’s commercial season until at least Dec. 16, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Targeted to open Dec. 1, Oregon’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed so consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted. The commercial bay crab fishery (currently open) closes at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1 in conjunction with the delayed ocean commercial season. It will reopen when the ocean commercial season does so. The next round of crab meat yield and biotoxin testing will occur in the coming weeks. Results help determine if the season opens Dec. 16 or is See CRAB, Page 5

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Coast Aquarium Oregon Coast Aquarium staff check Pumpkin the sea turtle’s temperature. When a stranded turtle is brought to OCAq, staff provide immediate care while coordinating with other wildlife facilities to establish longterm rehabilitation and release plans.

Fast Fact

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Coast Aquarium Upon intake staff followed protocol to assess and determine Pumpkin’s needs. Her temperature and lethargic behavior confirmed her cold-stunned status. aquarium representatives said. To avoid shocking the animal, their body temperature must be raised slowly. Pumpkin arrived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with a body temperature just below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. She was transferred to increasingly warm water baths, raising her body temperature five degrees per day until it reached a 75 degree temperature. At the same time aquarium staff were providing care – they were also coordinating with other wildlife facilities to establish long-term rehabilitation and release plans. See PUMPKIN, Page 5

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is one of three wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the Pacific Northwest, and the only one in Oregon, authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide specialized care to endangered marine life, like sea otters and sea turtles.

A Closer Look

Economic and revenue forecast is unchanged JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. Oregon’s baseline economic outlook continues to call for the soft landing, and remains effectively unchanged from the prior forecast, according to the latest state revenue and economic forecast according to the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. The latest forecast release Nov. 15, reflects the state kicker details outlined in the September forecast, stating that $5.6 billion will be returned to Oregon taxpayers next filing season. The median, or typical Oregonian is expected to receive a $980 credit. The kicker tax credit goes into effect when the actual state revenue exceeds See ECONOMY, Page 5

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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