PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Clearwater Marine Aquarium reported the first sea turtle nest of the season has been found on Pinellas County beaches.
The find comes days after the sea turtle nesting season along the Gulf Coast officially started May 1.
On the last few days of April and nearly 100 miles south, the first loggerhead sea turtle nest was found by Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea turtle patrol on Venice Beach, making it the first find before the season even started.
Mounted on ATVs, patrols from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium scavenge for the nests earlier to ensure the turtles’ nesting habits are better understood for greater efforts to keep them safe. Sea turtles on the southwest coast of Florida usually start nesting from March to October, according to the Florida State Parks website.
Especially with an uptick in nests popping up all over the Gulf Coast last year, there is much to gain from the turtles’ activity.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers these few tips to safely let the turtles do their thing:
- Turn out the lights. Nighttime lighting on or near the beach can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings.
- Knock down sandcastles. Sandcastles create obstacles for sea turtles and hatchlings looking to get to and from the ocean.
- Dispose of trash properly. Trash can be consumed by sea turtles and create obstacles for hatchlings searching for the water.
Mote Marine Laboratory advises:
Dos:
- If you encounter a nesting turtle or hatchlings, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
- Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October.
- Close drapes after dark and stack beach furniture at the dune line or, ideally, remove it from the beach.
- Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water.
Don’ts:
- Do not approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise or shine lights at turtles.
- Avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach.
- Do not encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water.
- Don't use fireworks on the beach.
