June 2024

Staff embrace the Pier’s long-standing commitment to protect sea turtles as we head into the 14th summer season since Jennette’s Pier was reborn in 2011.

Important tools are in place, and the Pier team is trained to respond quickly and effectively during rare sea turtle interactions.

As the first North Carolina participant in the Responsible Pier Initiative, we have information posted on signs, so anglers know what to do if a sea turtle swims into their line or becomes hooked.

For these situations, Jennette’s Pier provides numerous hoop-style landing nets up and down the 1,000-foot-long pier so that turtles can be quickly lifted to the Pier deck unharmed.

Staff members, including all security guards, are trained to carefully untangle or unhook turtles and release them with a specially designed, one-of-a-kind bright blue release basket.

According to Jennette’s Pier Director, Mike Remige, our standard operating procedure entails quickly landing the turtle, freeing it from the line or hook and releasing it back to the ocean as long as it’s unharmed.

If staff sees the animal is injured or noticeably sick, they can make the call to transport the sea turtle to our sister facility, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, to receive expert care at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center, just 15 minutes away.

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