Posted: June 20, 2017
Island Conservation Partners Sponsoring Female Loggerhead in Annual Migration “Marathon”
BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (June 20, 2017) – In partnership with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring (AMITW), Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is sponsoring a nesting female loggerhead sea turtle – Eliza Ann – in the 10th Annual Tour de Turtles. Created by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the annual “marathon” event uses satellite telemetry to track the migration of turtles released from beaches in Costa Rica, Panama, Nevis, Anna Maria Island and other parts of Florida. A crowd of locals, staff and volunteers from Waterline and AMITW were on hand this morning to watch as Eliza Ann was released from Anna Maria Island, where she successfully laid her eggs.
Eliza Ann and the other Tour de Turtles competitors will be tracked for three months using satellite telemetry to record their location and distance travelled. The data will be uploaded to interactive maps on the Tour de Turtles website. The turtle that travels the most miles over the three-month period will be announced as the winner of this year’s marathon.
“We’re honored to be a part of such a fun and educational event and wish Eliza Ann a safe journey,” Sandy Zinck, general manager of Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club. “As the official community sponsor of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, we’re actively supporting Executive Director Suzi Fox and her team with continuing education and events for our guests.”
Through their partnership with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is committed to advancing the mission of a suitable habitat for sea turtles, shorebirds and the ecosystem of the island and its surrounding waters. Slated to open in August, the resort will incorporate special programs, promotions and messaging to support the local organization’s outreach efforts. There will also be on-property “Turtle Talks” led by volunteers, weekly “Turtle Walks” during nesting season and guestroom collateral with eco-friendly communications. Waterline’s sister property, Mainsail Beach Inn, has been recognized by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch as a valued partner for consistently practicing “Turtle Safety 101,” while underscoring the importance of these best practices to its guests.
For more information or to make reservations, visit Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club online at www.waterlineresort.com or call 844-863-9443. You can also connect with Waterline and follow Eliza Ann’s journey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC
Mainsail Lodging & Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Their properties include Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (ScrubIsland.com), a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands and member of Autograph Collection® of Marriott International; Mainsail Beach Inn (MainsailBeachInn.com), a boutique beachfront hotel on Anna Maria Island, Florida; and the boutique food-focused Epicurean Hotel (EpicureanHotel.com) in Tampa, Florida. The company also operates corporate housing throughout the Southeast, exclusively managing the Florida market for Oakwood Worldwide® under both its ExecuStay® (ExecuStay.com) and Oakwood® (Oakwood.com) brands, while also operating ExecuStay in Georgia, portions of Alabama, and The Carolinas. Mainsail is developing their fourth hotel, Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club on Anna Maria Island, Florida, which is under construction and slated to open August 2017. Two additional Florida hotels are planned for 2018 and 2019, respectively – Fenway Hotel in Dunedin and Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers. Mainsail Lodging’s corporate charity is Feeding Tampa Bay – the largest food rescue and distribution organization in the community. Mainsail actively supports the cause through a variety of employee and guest programs ranging from packing and sorting at the warehouse to annual events including Pumpkin Fight and Epic Chef Showdown.
About Anna Maria Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring
AMITW & Shorebird Monitoring is a grassroots organization supported financially by Manatee County and the more than 90 volunteers who work tirelessly for sea turtle conservation. For over 30 years, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch has coordinated conservation efforts for 12 miles of Manatee County shoreline. In three decades, AMITW has monitored 7,339 turtle activities, protected 4,454 nests, 301,694 turtle eggs, and watched 271,680 hatchlings depart to become a future generation of loggerheads that will return to the region as they reach maturity — in about 30 years. For more information about AMITW, contact Suzi Fox at 941-778- 5638 or email at [email protected].
About Tour de Turtles
Started in 2008, the Tour de Turtles (TdT) is a fun, educational journey through the science, research and geography of sea turtle migration using satellite telemetry. Created by Sea Turtle Conservancy, with help from sponsors and partners, this event follows the marathon migration of sea turtles, representing four different species, from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds. Scheduled to begin August 1 each year, Tour de Turtles will track individual sea turtles, for approximately three months, as they leave their respective nesting beaches and race to complete a turtle marathon. The Tour de Turtles competitors will swim with the goal of being the first turtle to swim the furthest distance during the migration marathon. While we may not know the outcome of the race, one thing is certain: saving sea turtles is a marathon, not a sprint!
About Sea Turtle Conservancy
Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Florida, is the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation organization. STC’s mission is to ensure the survival of sea turtles worldwide through research, education, training, advocacy and protection of the natural
Kelly Prieto, APR
Vice President
Hayworth Public Relations
386-677-7000 Ext. 2
[email protected]