Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Nests Increase Across Texas Beaches in 2026

News Release Date: November 9, 2026
Contact:U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Contact:National Park Service

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and partners documented 697 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests on the Texas coast during the 2026 nesting season - a 55% increase from the 449 nests located in 2025. These nests are counted by trained staff and volunteers who conduct beach patrols and respond to public reports of nesting sea turtles. This encouraging increase for the world's most endangered sea turtle builds on decades of conservation work, strong bi-national partnerships and the efforts of thousands of volunteers, beachgoers and fishermen along the Texas coast.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles likely once formed large nesting colonies across the western Gulf of America before being driven to the edge of extinction by egg collection, fishing bycatch and habitat loss. In response, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Pesca launched a restoration action plan, which outlined an ambitious effort to save the species from extinction.

In 1978, an interagency reintroduction effort began collecting a portion of the eggs laid on Rancho Nuevo beach in Mexico, the species' primary nesting site, and taking them to Padre Island National Seashore in South Texas. At the national seashore, the eggs were incubated, and hatchlings were released onto the beach to encourage them to imprint on the area so they could one day return to nest. After a short swim, the hatchlings were recaptured and raised in Galveston until they were large enough to be tagged and released, with the goal of establishing a self-sustaining nesting colony in Texas.

In 1996, the first tagged Kemp's ridley sea turtles were found returning to Padre Island to nest, an early sign of the reintroduction effort's success. This year's nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtles trace their lineage back in part to those original reintroduced turtles.

"What began as a conservation emergency has become a remarkable success story. On the Texas coast, growing from about one nest every three years in 1978 to nearly 700 nests in 2026 would not have been possible without decades of partnership among thousands of people and organizations across the U.S. and Mexico," said Dr. Donna J. Shaver, Chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore.

From March to September each year, Texans and beachgoers play a critical role in protecting these incredible turtles as they nest along the coast. By driving slowly on Texas beaches, keeping a distance of at least 100 feet from any turtles and calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 to report stranded, injured and nesting sea turtles, as well as their nests and tracks, beachgoers help support the species' continued recovery.

"The Kemp's ridley's continued progress reflects the commitment of Texans who care deeply about our coast," said Alicia Walker, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Biologist and State Coordinator of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. "From practicing responsible fishing techniques to protecting vital beaches and nearshore habitats, Texans play a direct role in protecting these turtles. Sea turtles are a key part of a healthy Gulf ecosystem, and every report of a nesting, cold-stunned or stranded sea turtle helps us respond quickly and give these species their best chance at survival."

With nesting numbers rising, biologists are optimistic about the trajectory of the species and its progress toward the recovery goals outlined in the Binational Recovery Plan for the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle. Partners continue to work year-round to conserve Kemp's ridley sea turtles and ensure that future generations have the chance to see these incredible turtles in the waters and on the beaches of the Texas coast.

"After decades of devoted partnership efforts along the Texas coast, we are thrilled to see the community become more and more engaged in conserving these treasures of the Texas coast," said Cynthia Rubio, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist. "Seeing a nesting turtle is an amazing life experience, and by reporting them you help ensure the species' future."

-FWS & NPS-

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more For more information, visit www.fws.gov, and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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