Washback sea turtles, some no bigger than the palm of your hand, are getting much-needed care at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet.

Allie Bernstein, who works in turtle nest rehabilitation at the center, says these turtles are sometimes out in the ocean for a while before they wash back to shore.

"Those are turtles that have been out in the ocean for a period of time, weeks to months, and are now at the point where they're getting washed back in," Bernstein said. "They end up at our facility underweight, lethargic and dehydrated."

This time of year is known as seaweed season, and recent offshore storms have stirred up the surf. Higher-than-normal tides are also pushing large piles of sargassum onto local beaches.

Turtles love to eat that seaweed, but when it washes ashore, those

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