Featured Article: Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea turtle nesting season has offically begun. About 90% of all sea turtle nesting in the United States takes place on Florida’s beaches, which means it is extremely improtant that residents and visitors do their part to ensure the sea turtles have a safe and successful nesting season.

Here are a few ways you can help:

Sea Turtle friendly lights or No Flashlights

In order to prevent nesting and hatchling turtles from wandering off track, your beachfront property should use sea turtle friendly lighting. You can also help by closing drapes and blinds, and shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach. Sea turtle hatchlings can become easily disoriented by bright lights on the coast from hotels and beachfront properties. By following these steps, you can encourage females to nest and lead hatchlings in the right direction, the ocean!

Knock over sand castles & fill in holes

Although this is every kid’s nightmareEven though no one, especially kids, want to knock down their creations it is important to flatten out the sand at the end of the day. Also, filling in any holes you made in the sand will keep the hatchlings from becoming entraped while on their way to the water. Even the nesting mothers can become stuck in these holes when crawling up the beach to nest.

Remove Umbrellas, chairs, tents and toys.

These are obstacles for both the mother and the hatchlings.

Don’t use fireworks on the beach.

It may be tempting with the 4th of July coming soon but the bright lights and loud noises can disrupt the nesting mothers. 

Don’t interfere with the nesting or hatching process

You may think you are helping by getting the turtles to the water but scientists believe it is an important part of the process that the turtles get to the water on their own. It is also illigal to touch sea turtles under state and federal laws

Leave only footprints