Sea Turtle Nesting Season Underway In Southwest Florida
Sea Turtle nesting season is underway in Southwest Florida. The season became official Monday, May 1st and runs through October 31. According to officials, last year’s nesting season was extremely successful and had wrapped up, for the most part, before Hurricane Ian washed out local beaches and nests. So what about this year? It’s not the hurricane fallout that has biologists concerned for sea turtles this summer. Instead, it is the sargassum, thick piles of seaweed, that could hinder female turtles making their way onto the beach to dig a nest.
There are five species of sea turtles that call Florida home. Each one of them is either on the endangered or threatened list. All of them are protected meaning you could face legal trouble for disturbing them in anyway. Admire from a distance.
Sea turtle nesting season is underway in Southwest Florida.
How to protect sea turtle and their nests
There are a few things you can do to help sea turtles survive in Southwest Florida.. First, do not disturb turtle nests. Most of them will be marked off. However, newer ones could be exposed. Do not assist or startle female turtles attempting to make a nest.
Next, dim outdoor lights if you live on or are staying on the beach. Limit flashlights at night and don’t use a flash when capturing photos of hatchlings making their way to the water. Baby turtles follow the moonlight to reach the water. Light from other sources disorients them.
Finally, if you dig holes at the beach for kids or even your umbrellas, fill them in. The tiny turtles could easily get stuck in one of these holes and never make it to the water. And never leave anything behind.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a great resource to learn about sea turtles and how to protect and appreciate them. You may even book evening walks with volunteers to observe nests, catch a mama turtle in action, or best of all, see a next come alive with hundreds of hatchlings.
Seven Out Of The Ten Most Dangerous Beaches In The US Are In Florida
10. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has a danger score of 5.37 out of 10. This beach has seen three surf deaths and two shark attacks. Fort Lauderdale has also seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
7. Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach has a danger score of 6.02 with three surfing fatalities, three shark attacks and 120 hurricane strikes.
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
6. Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is another beach on the East Coast of Florida and has a danger score of 6.35 out of 10. Melbourne Beach has seen three surfing deaths, six shark attacks and has seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
(Photo by Joshua Rodas/Getty Images)
4. Panama City Beach
While Panama City Beach has only had two shark attacks, surfing deaths are high with 24 since 2010. Panama City Beach has a danger score of 7.16.
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
3. Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is another beach that has seen more surfing deaths (8) than shark attacks (4) and has a danger score of 7.48.
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
2. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach has a danger score of 7.57.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
1. New Smyrna Beach
The most dangerous beach in the US is New Smyrna Beach with a danger score of 8.14. Just in the last 13 years, New Smyrna Beach has seen 10 surfing deaths and 32 shark attacks. The area has also seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
Aerial view of beautiful summer day in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
