Gulf of Mexico mystery

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

---

Scientists are worried Siratti Sam could also become a casualty.

About 20 dead sea turtles have washed ashore in Pinellas County in the past three days, an extremely high number that has doctors and scientists puzzled.

One of the two survivors that's being kept at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a large, loggerhead turtle named Siratti Sam.

"I still don't know if he'll make it," said Dr. Janine Cianciolo. "It's little movements. Yesterday, he wasn't moving at all. [He's] still not in water because he's not keeping his head above water for long enough periods of time."

It's not clear why the various kinds of sea turtles are washing ashore.

"It may or may not be associated with red tide," said Cianciolo. "They tend to show symptoms of what's called a red tide intoxication, but you have to take a lot of samples and they must go through testing to actually determine that."

Dive instructor Michael Miller took underwater video to try to figure out the mystery.

"Right now, anywhere we go from shore to 20 miles offshore, from Sarasota to Tarpon Springs, we can't find a single creature alive on the bottom right now," said Miller.

Miller says he's never seen such death and devastation under water in his 20 years of diving.

"All the coral, all the sponges, all the crabs, not a single living thing, all the star fish, the brittle stars, everything's dead," said Miller.

Click here for an enlarged image of more dead sea life.

The sea turtles that died are being preserved with ice at the aquarium, where a necropsy will be performed in hopes it will provide some clues as to what's lurking in the waters of the gulf.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scientists will ultimately decide whether red tide is causing the sea turtles to die. The results from the test could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

If you see a dead or injured sea turtle, call the 24-hour stranded sea turtle hotline at 727-441-1790. You'll be asked to leave a message with a phone number so rescuers can respond to the appropriate location.

More Pinellas County Stories

• 'Highest and Best Use' concept may be challenged
• Authorities investigating fatal St. Petersburg shooting
• Friends of teen with cancer organize fundraiser
• Bollea gets 8-month jail sentence
• Mother of teen accused of sexual battery speaks out
• Graziano Family Statements
• Police seeking suspect in 13 burglaries
• Police: Woman targeted in Lake Maggiore shooting
• St. Petersburg teens accused in alleged sexual battery

• Spectacular displays of holiday lights
• Tell us about holiday displays
• Hours your favorite shopping mall is open
• Holiday events galore!

• Maps and directions
• Airport Information
• Traffic Cameras

• Submit an Event
• Community Events
• Sporting Events
• Entertainment Events
• Spanish Events

Bay News 9 on Demand is free and exclusively available on Bright House Networks digital cable, Channel 342. Here's what's new:

• NEW interactive program guide
• Complete coverage: CNN YouTube Debate (Politics)
• Watch ENTIRE debate on demand
• Hogan 911 crash tape released
• 2007 Severe Weather Special - Learn about everything from hurricanes to lightning

Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.

• Breaking News Alerts
• Live Audio Stream
• RSS News Feed

Become An Asterisk Hunter!

At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.

So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call

1-866-976-EASY.

Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.