Galveston Seaweed Raises More Turtle Concerns

Experts have raised concerns that continued removal of larger-then-normal amounts of seaweed from Galveston beaches could affect nesting of endangered turtles.

The head of the Sea Turtle Research Lab at Texas A&M University at Galveston on Friday said that seaweed is making it tough to spot Kemp's ridley sea turtles or their nests.

Kimberly Reich told the Houston Chronicle she's afraid that nests are being covered because of the sheer mass of seaweed being cleared.

Officials cite blame the seaweed on an unusually large influx of the marine algae since April. The seaweed, being removed by private contractors, comes during nesting season for Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

Galveston park officials have asked for assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.