Kemp's ridley among four sea turtles killed by boat propellers off Pinellas

CLEARWATER — With warm temperatures and clear skies, last weekend was perfect for local boaters to return to the water, but it was deadly for four sea turtles, including two Kemp's ridley turtles, the world's most endangered sea turtle.

The turtles were sliced by boat propellers.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Marine Stranding Team found the Kemp's ridley turtles and two green sea turtles Friday and Saturday between Redington Shores and Clearwater Pass.

The two Kemp's ridley turtles were already dead. The green sea turtles suffered untreatable injuries and had to be euthanized.

Mike Anderson, the aquarium's supervisor of sea turtle nesting, said boaters should be mindful of the turtles as cool water temperatures cause them to rise to the surface to bask in the warm sun.

Boaters "just need to slow down and keep an eye out," he said.

It can be difficult to spot a turtle, he said, particularly in choppy water, but he offered a couple of tips.

Turtles like to sleep and hunt on sunny mud flats, he said, so boaters should be especially careful in those areas. And he suggested boaters should get some good shades.

"Wear good sunglasses," he said. "A nice pair of sunglasses will take a lot of the glare off."