Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium released a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle named Violet on Wednesday morning into the Gulf of Mexico.
Longboat Key projects manager Charlie Mopps and Public Works officer manager Alex Lowe-Mains assisted in Violet s release at the 4001 Gulf Mexico Drive public beach access point across the street from Bayfront Park.
“Charlie is helping provide the muscle,” Lowe-Mains joked.
Mote requested the town s assistance in carrying Violet, and to help stop traffic along Gulf of Mexico Drive as the lab s cargo van got onto the beach. About a half dozen people helped carry the turtle from the van.