BP Oil Spill: Tunes For Turtles This Weekend

By Craig Malisow Wed., Jul. 21 2010 at 8:01 AM

Categories: Environment, Stage

Onward through the oil

Since the BP oil spill began 8,427 days ago, we've heard about how the catastrophe has endangered the welfare of birds, fishermen, tourist shops, and at least one British dickhead CEO, but there hasn't been much said about our society's most vulnerable -- Gulf Coast sea turtles.

Until now, that is: On Sunday from 2-7 p.m., the Big Easy will be hosting the "Tunes for Turtles" benefit, featuring Tutu Jones, Guitar Shorty, Texas Johnny Brown, Sonny Boy Terry, and others. Proceeds will help South Padre-based nonprofit Sea Turtle Inc. "receive any overflow of oiled turtles from Louisiana and Florida," according to a press release issued on behalf of Sea Turtle Inc. "The Port Isabel Navigation District has given Sea Turtle Inc. the use of a large, abandoned shrimp farm that can hold over 100 turtles."

These aren't just any old turtles: they're Kemp's Ridley turtles. The females (we're assuming turtles can tell males from females, 'cause we sure can't) nest only in Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the press release, they "migrate north to Louisiana after laying eggs on our beaches from April through July. This year, the Kemp's Ridley annual migration, which goes directly through the area affected by the BP oil spill, is a recipe for disaster!"

And while BP has allocated $5 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for these turtles, the funding hasn't been released, and "until there's oil in Texas, they likely won't release funds to Texas organizations," according to the press release.

So, for $5, you can listen to some kick-ass tunes and save some freakin' turtles. Is there any better way to spend a Sunday? (Well, besides church, of course). Also, be sure to check out Sea Turtle Inc.'s Adopt-a-Turtle Program, which is just like those adopt-a-poor-foreign-kid programs, except instead of helping some kid who bathes in the same water where the yaks go to do their business, you're helping awesome, endangered turtles right here in your backyard.