The first of May officially marked the beginning of the sea turtle nesting season in the state of Florida. Although we want people to come to Florida’s Space Coast to enjoy our beaches, we also want residents and visitors to be aware that they’re not the only ones out there.
To ensure the survival of sea turtles, but still enjoy yourself on our coast here’s a short list of things to remember during sea turtle season:
- It is against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, or their nests.
- If you see an injured or dead sea turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or *FWC from your cell phone.
- Avoid going to the beach at night. If you must be on the beach at night, limit your walking and do not use flashlights or flash photography.
- Turn off outside patio lights and shield indoor lights from shining directly onto the beach by closing the drapes at night. Lights disturb nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
- While enjoying the beautiful beaches during the day, avoid disturbing marked sea turtle nests, and please take your trash with when you leave the beach.
- When crossing a dune, please use designated cross overs and walk ways. Do not climb over the dunes or disturb the dune vegetation.
- Interested in taking a guided sea turtle hike? Here’s a list of organizations permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to conduct public turtle watches.
The sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1-October 1.
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