Holden Beach Turtle Patrol 37th Season is Officially Closed on September 27. The first nest was laid on May 22, and the last nest was laid on July 26. Last year, the dates were May 18 and July 26, respectively.
The official statistics for 2025: 35 nests, 2,389 hatchlings, and 4,012 known eggs
Down from 2024 which was: 67 nests, 5,385 hatchlings, and 7,278 known eggs
Historical yearly avg. 1990-2024: 46 nests, 89 hatchlings/nest, and 5,103 known eggs
A link to all HBTP historical statistics can be found under Historical Data from the menu on their website www.hbturtlewatch.org
It should be noted that Hurricane Erin didn’t make landfall in Brunswick County, but did bring large waves and high tides onto our beaches, resulting in significant overwash and water inundation and 6-12 inches of sand on top of our remaining nests after the tides receded, in many instances. This affected all nests that hadn’t closed yet, about half of the total nests. Many of these nests contained large numbers of unhatched eggs.
The last three nests that were inventoried and closed were nests 31, 32, and 34. Nests 31 and 32 contained only unhatched eggs. On a happier note, when Nest 34 was inventoried, there were many unhatched eggs but there was ONE live baby turtle that was anxious to make its way to the ocean. It was a beautiful ending to a challenging turtle season.
Saying Farewell
It is a bittersweet ending for the 2025 sea turtle season for the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol. This year the group said goodbye to Pat and Alice Cusack, who have been icons for Turtle Patrol for two decades.
Alice joined the Turtle Patrol in 2006 and has completed 20 sea turtle seasons. After her trainee year on the patrol, she immediately began taking on additional roles and responsibilities. She was a strong supporter for the Turtle Patrol and not only cared about sea turtles, but cared about Turtle Patrol members. She was a great advocate for sea turtles and loved to share her knowledge and passion with the public. In her many roles over the years, she mentored and trained more than 100 members. Some of the roles she took on were Morning Caller, member of Stranding, and then later she we Head of Stranding, Assistant Coordinator, T-Shirt Co-Coordinator, and weekly volunteer for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital for five years. Her leadership, kindness, dedication, and passion for sea turtles will be remembered.
Pat joined the Turtle Patrol in 2007, a year after Alice, and he completed 19 sea turtle seasons. He jumped right in after his trainee year as well and was very active from the start. He has always been an ATV Rider and was the ATV Coordinator for many years, as well. He was on Stranding, in 2010 he became an Assistant Coordinator, and in 2014 was appointed Permit Holder/Program Coordinator. Like Alice, he was T-Shirt Co-Coordinator and volunteered weekly at the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital. He has always been willing to teach and mentor members. Pat was often on the beach when he wasn’t scheduled to be there, working hard
When asked what they will miss, the Cusack’s will tell you its their friends on the Turtle Patrol, talking to the public and watching their faces light up as they witness the wonders of sea turtles, watching the nesting and hatching of those precious sea turtles, and constantly learning new things.
The Turtle Patrol gathered recently for the annual end of season event, and in attendance were Alan Holden, Mayor of Holden Beach and Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologist for NC Wildlife (NCWRC). Both Pat and Alice were awarded the distinction of Honorary Members of the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol. This honor is reserved for members with many years of service that have successfully handled extraordinary activities and have made considerable contributions to the Patrol.
The Turtle Patrol family will miss the Cusacks but know they have been mentored and coached well. The Cusacks leave behind a strong, knowledgeable, and compassionate organization which has strong leadership and a sense of camaraderie and dedication, with a passion for sea turtles.
Steve McNeill will take over as Program Coordinator, and Pat is confident McNeill will do a great job as he knows he is smart, calm, and organized. McNeill shadowed Cusack this season.
