Hurricane + sea turtle update from our friends at Inwater Research Group!
With Hurricane Idalia affecting Florida’s coastlines, we wanted to share some important information on what this means for sea turtle nesting.
You may see eggs exposed from the nest or washed along the beach, but do not disturb them! Movement of the eggs causes the embryo to become detached from the membrane leaving little to no chance of survival. Further disturbance could affect any membranes that may still be viable.
Sea turtles have a natural strategy for such events. Each female lays several nests along the beach to ensure that at least some of them will be successful. No storm season is a total loss for Florida’s sea turtles. Even in years when Florida sustained direct hits from multiple storms, hatching and emergence success rates were still well within the normal range
Remember collecting any eggs, shells, or hatchlings is against the law, so it is best to leave everything in its natural place. If you happen to encounter a sea turtle or hatchling washed ashore, please call FWC’s stranding hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
You may see eggs exposed from the nest or washed along the beach, but do not disturb them! Collecting any eggs, shells, or hatchlings is against the law, so it is best to leave everything in its natural place. If you happen to encounter a sea turtle or hatchling washed ashore, please call FWC’s stranding hotline at 1-888-404-3922.