Help our sea turtles thrive this nesting season

Help our sea turtles thrive this nesting season

Residents and visitors enjoying the Pinellas County beaches are asked to take simple actions to help sea turtles have a successful nesting season, which runs May 1 - Oct. 31.

Each year, female sea turtles return to our beaches to lay their eggs at night. Later in the season, hatchlings emerge and make their journey from their nests to the ocean. Artificial light, uneven sand and leftover beach items can disrupt mother turtles and disorient hatchlings, preventing them from reaching the water safely.

"More than 90 percent of all U.S. sea turtle nesting happens in Florida and we are proud to call Pinellas County beaches one of their favorite nurseries," says Dr. John Bishop, Pinellas County Coastal Management. "With the latest beach renourishment project and help from beachgoers, we know we can have an outstanding season."

Here's how beachgoers and beachfront property owners can help:

• Turn off lights after sunset and install wildlife-friendly lighting. Most of Pinellas County's beach communities have ordinances prohibiting lighting that casts glare onto the beach during turtle nesting season.
• Leave only footprints. When leaving the beach, pick up trash, fill in holes, knock down sandcastles and take all your beach equipment.
• Do not harass or touch any sea turtles or hatchlings.
• To report the disturbance of a sea turtle nest, or report the sightings of turtles that are dead, lost, stranded or wandering in the street, call the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-3922 or dial *FWC from a cell phone. Residents can also report these sightings on the FWC Wildlife Alert website.

For more information on our local sea turtles and on steps you can take this season, visit our sea turtle protection page and Visit St. Pete Clearwater's sea turtle nesting season guide.

A beachfront condominium is shown at night on Indian Shores. At left is what the human eye sees. At right is a filtered image approximating how sea turtles perceive it. Bright beachfront lighting can disorient sea turtles, especially hatchlings.