OCEAN'S FIGHTERS

SEA TURTLES GET A SECOND CHANCE THANKS TO LOCAL HEROES

- BY STEVE SEARS

As summer rolls in and Jersey beaches heat up, a very special kind of visitor is on the move — sea turtles. And they need your help.

As summer arrives, people should be on the lookout, said Bill Deerr, co-executive officer of Sea Turtle Recovery in West Orange. “Turtles are going to be moving into the area. People should report sea turtles - whether they're on land, swimming and healthy, or accidentally caught while fishing. The most important thing is to call Sea Turtle Recovery before doing anything else.”

Deerr and his fellow co-executive officer, Brandi Biehl, both hold degrees in marine science — Deerr from Stockton University and Biehl from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. But their greatest qualification is their deep passion for marine life, especially sea turtles.

“Most people don't even realize there are sea turtles in New Jersey,” Biehl said. “Then you really surprise them when you tell them there's actually a sea turtle hospital here, just for them.”