FWC Asks Floridians To Be Mindful Of Sea Turtles During Sea Turtle Nesting Season

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Florida - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds Floridians to help sea turtles during nesting season by keeping beaches clean, free of obstacles, and dark at night. Sea turtle nesting season begins in early March and lasts through the end of October on the Atlantic Coast from Brevard through Broward counties. The season starts later in the spring, in late April or May along the northeast Atlantic, the Keys, and Gulf coasts. “Keeping Florida’s beaches dark and uncluttered at night can help protect sea turtles that return to nest on our beaches,” Dr. Robbin Trindell, who heads the FWC's sea turtle management program, explains. “Many agency partners, such as nature centers, marine turtle permit holders, and local governments, contribute greatly to sea turtle conservation. But caring beachgoers can also make a significant difference in helping nesting and hatchling sea turtles survive.” The FWC says that artificial light can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, so beachgoers should avoid using flashlights or cellphones at night. Turning lights out by the beaches at night and avoiding unnecessary lighting can help ensure that hatchling sea turtles will not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. Residents and visitors to the beach can also clear away boats and beach furniture at the end of the day and fill in holes in the sand to ensure that turtles do not become trapped in furniture or holes in the sand. Go to MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle for more information on Florida’s sea turtles, and click on “Research,” then “Nesting” for more data on sea turtle nesting. You can also find video from the FWC of a nesting sea turtle here. You can find more information on purchasing a “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” Florida license plate here. Photo courtesy Loggerhead Marinelife Center and FWC. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.