Sea Turtle Hatchlings – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Kjersti Joergensen
Wildlife officials would like to remind both Floridians and visitors that everyone contributes to the protection of sea turtles, as it is officially sea turtle breeding season.
Many kinds of threatened and endangered sea turtles nest along Florida’s shores between the month of March through October each year.
When female turtles dig and lay their nests by crawling up the sand, obstacles can imprison them. Beachgoers can contribute by picking up garbage, patching holes in the sand caused by humans, and clearing the beach of all furniture, toys, and gear before dusk.
In order to prevent upsetting turtle nesting adults and their hatchlings, visitors should also maintain a safe distance and refrain from using flashlights or cell phones at night.
Despite Hurricane Idalia, 2023 saw record-breaking numbers throughout the nesting season. The loggerhead sea turtle laid 2,068 nests, while the green sea turtle laid 2,116, according to the official Florida State Parks website. Conversely, leatherback sea turtles produced 56 nests, which is more than twice as many as in 2022.
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