A portion of the proceeds from Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate will benefit CMA
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Clearwater Marine Aquarium shared they received over $17,000 as a result of Sea Turtle Grants Program, which is supported by a portion of revenues from Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate. The proceeds were integral in purchasing medical equipment for sea turtle rehabilitation.
With the funding, the veterinary team was able to purchase a new surgical exam table, a single head ceiling surgical light, a wound VAC and dressings, and a digital camera for intakes and necropsies. Since installing this equipment, over 75 sea turtles have been treated.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium was chosen for the lucrative award through a competitive application process offered to coastal county governments, educational institutions and Florida-based nonprofit groups striving to improve the livelihood of sea turtles and conserve Florida habitats.
The Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate is the primary source of funding for Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Program. It also supports the Sea Turtle Grants Program, which has awarded more than $2.7 million in grants for research, education and conservation programs since 2001 to benefit sea turtles in Florida.
Sea Turtle Specialty License Plates are available for $23 a year, with the funding designated to help provide critical financial support for the Sea Turtle Grants Program and the state’s Marine Turtle Protection Program.
For more information on Sea Turtle Grants Program, visit HelpingSeaTurtles.org.
MEDIA CONTACT Kelsy Long, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, media@cmaquarium.org.
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-21/22-172A.
###
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to preserving our marine life and environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. CMA is home to rescue dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. Winter, the dolphin’s story of survival after injury that caused her to lose her tail, has impacted millions of people around the world. A major motion picture, Dolphin Tale, highlighted her life story in 2011. The sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, was released in September 2014 and features the incredible story of Hope, a young resident dolphin of CMA. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world
© 2022 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-445-1139 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization