Respect the nest ????
Tomorrow is World Sea Turtle Day! Sea turtles are nesting on beaches around the state and can use your help for a successful nesting season. What can you do?
• Keep your distance. Getting too close (50 feet or less) can cause sea turtles to leave the beach before finishing nesting. All species of sea turtles and their nests are protected and should not be disturbed — it is illegal to harm, harass or take sea turtles, their eggs and hatchlings. Have you seen someone disturbing a sea turtle or its nest? Report it to our Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Or dial*FWC or #FWC on your cell phone or send a text to [email protected].
• Clear the way at the end of the day. Properly dispose of all trash, fill in man-made holes in the sand, and remove all beach toys and furniture before sunset. This keeps the path clear for sea turtles coming ashore to nest and hatchlings trying to reach the ocean, preventing from getting trapped, entangled or blocked from where they need to go.
• Lights out! Unlike the green turtle in this photo, most sea turtles nest primarily at night. Turn off lights or close curtains after dark to avoid disturbing or disorienting nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. Avoid using flashlights or cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach.