FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2014
FLORIDA CELEBRATES HIGH SEA TURTLE NEST COUNT THIS SEASON
~Conservation efforts reduce human impact on sea turtle
nesting~
 A sea turtle hatchling makes its way to the ocean.
TALLAHASSEE – Researchers are again seeing a high number of
sea turtle nests on Florida’s beaches this year. The number of nests in Florida
has increased over the past several years as a result of increased conservation
efforts and decreased detrimental storms throughout the state.
More than 1,800 biologists, interns and trained volunteers
patrol Florida's 199 nesting beaches to
identify, mark and monitor nests. Researchers at
Florida’s three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), located in
Naples, Apalachicola and Ponte Vedra Beach, gather evidence to track sea turtle
populations and document the success of the nests.
This year, 960 total nests have been reported in Florida’s
three NERRs. Researchers at Guana Tolomato Mantanzas National Estuarine
Research Reserve have reported 134 nests, including 10 rare green turtle nests.
The nest count in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has increased
from 475 in 2013 to 560 nests this year. At the Apalachicola National Estuarine
Research Reserve, 266 nests have been identified.
“We are very pleased to see the sea turtle population
increased this year within our managed areas,” Kevin Claridge, director of
DEP’s Florida Coastal Office. “There are many variables that can affect
population numbers, but a key component to species management is good data,
which in this case would not have been possible without so many excellent
partnerships and volunteer hours.”
In addition to more total nests, Rookery Bay Reserve also had more hatched nests this year, totaling 360 this season, compared to just 287 last year. The increase in hatched nests reflects the improvement of statewide nesting productivity. Additionally, Cape Romano, within Rookery Bay Reserve, is reporting the highest number of sea turtle nests since 2006. An estimated 6,000 hatchlings from those nests have made it to the Gulf – more than double last year's reported 2,500 and soaring above the count of 678 in 2012.
Sea turtles spend the vast majority of their lives in the
open ocean, only coming inland to nest. Florida is a vital area for sea turtle
nesting, with nesting areas running along both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
The nesting season spans from early May until the end of October.
During sea turtle nesting season, those visiting beaches are
asked to keep lights off at night, avoid any interaction with nesting turtles
and avoid all marked sea-turtle nests. When beachgoers leave lights on at
night, sea turtle hatchlings may become disoriented and head toward those
lights, instead of the moonlight over the ocean.
Simple actions beachgoers can take to ensure they are not
hindering hatchlings from successfully making it to the water are listed below.
• Remove all belongings from the beach, flatten sand castles and
fill in holes.
• Properly
dispose of litter in designated receptacles on the beach.
• Stay off
dunes and use the designated walkovers for crossing.
• Shield
any artificial lighting that may shine toward the beach.
For more information on Florida’s National Estuarine
Research Reserves, click here.
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