Senator Markey Applauds Unanimous Senate Commerce Committee Passage of Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Act

Washington (July 31, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today applauded the Committee's unanimous passage of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to establish a new $33-million grant program at the Department of Commerce to fund institutions in Massachusetts and across the United States in their efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and research stranded sea turtles.

"As sea turtles face extinction and environmental wipeout, this bipartisan legislation provides a crucial lifeline to the guardians championing rescue and rehabilitation programs," said Senator Markey. "Our current rescue efforts are largely volunteer and underfunded, forcing our aquariums to shell out to keep our shelled friends safe. After years of trying to get this new grant program across the finish line, this bipartisan legislation demonstrates that slow and steady can still win the race. We will not let these rescue and rehabilitation organizations, much less sea turtles, sink."

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) co-led the bill in the Senate. Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Tom Tillis (R-N.C.).

All recognized species of sea turtles found within the United States are considered threatened or endangered. In 2000, 49 sea turtles were stranded and found on the beaches of Cape Cod, and in 2022, that number had skyrocketed to 866. Current rescue efforts are predominantly volunteer and underfunded, while sea turtles face increasing risks that make strandings more likely, including temperature changes, red tide events, and entanglement in marine debris.

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