Every year between March 1st to October 31st, the Sea Turtle Nesting season takes place in South Florida.
Many things threaten sea turtles today that were not threats hundreds of years ago. This has made all species of sea turtles threatened or endangered. Examples of these new threats include:
- Collisions with boats
- Sky glow from artificial lighting
- Interactions with commercial and recreational fishing gear
- Loss of nesting habitat
- Pollution
Every year, thousands of newly hatched sea turtles die due to disorientation by lights visible from the beach and other human related reasons. Here are some helpful tips:
- Keep at a distance of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings
- Turn off shield lights on the beach at night
- Fill in holes dug in the sand at a beach
- Report sick, injured, entangled or deceased sea turtles to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-404-3922 and prepare to answer these following questions:
- What is the exact location the animal?
- Is the turtle alive or dead?
- What is the approximate size of the turtle?
- Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (indication of previous documentation)
- What is the location of the closest access point to the turtle?