Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act

Full Title:
Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to set up a Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response grant program by changing section 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Secretary and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must include separate eligibility and grant rules for sea turtles. Grants for sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation must use equivalent criteria and authorities to existing marine mammal grants but be developed and awarded separately for sea turtles and in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also creates an interest-bearing Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund. Amounts in the funds are available only to provide emergency assistance.

What it means for you#

  • Eligible organizations must apply to the Secretary of Commerce under the grant program.
  • To apply, an entity must be authorized under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act for sea turtles or have a cooperative agreement under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.
  • Grant recipients must follow standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles when using facilities and must meet relevant data reporting rules, such as Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network reporting.
  • Grants can cover rescue, rehabilitation, and rapid response activities for stranded or affected sea turtles.
  • Grants and fund spending are subject to the availability of appropriations and program rules set by the Secretary and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2025 through 2030 to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program, to remain available until expended (subject to appropriation).
  • The bill creates the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund and authorizes $500,000 for each fiscal year 2025 through 2030 to be appropriated to that fund (subject to appropriation).
  • The bill also establishes an interest-bearing Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund and authorizes $500,000 for each fiscal year 2025 through 2030 for that fund.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.