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The Sea Turtle Science and Recovery faces shortfall of $600,000

To receive certain funding they will have to remove vehicles from the beach, something they are not going to do.

PADRE ISLAND, Texas — The Sea Turtle Recovery team could face $600,000 budget shortfall by 2025.

Dr. Donna Shaver with the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at the Padre Island National Seashore said they have enough money to get the organization through 2025, but after that they will be facing a shortfall of around $600,000.

Their efforts provide an extra set of eyes along the Gulf coast, searching for nesting turtles and turtle eggs -- especially those of endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles. The Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program does it all, from retrieving the eggs to protecting them until they hatch, and even releasing them back into their natural habitat when the hatchlings are ready.

"They are the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world and this project has been going for the past 40 years and has helped the population rebound," Shaver said.

The program is funded through the National Park Service and staff makes up the funds through grant money and early restoration funding from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. However, Shaver said all funding will run out by year 2025, causing the program to face a deficit.

"Funding the program has always been a big concern of mine, and I always try to look ahead to prepare for the future because the turtles are coming whether we are ready or not," Shaver said.

According to Shaver, the funding has been a blessing but they face a dilemma -- they will not be able to apply for the restoration funding again because of a policy aimed at protecting the turtles. Shaver said to receive certain funding they will have to remove vehicles from the beach, something they are not going to do.

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