TAMPA, Fla. — This year's sea turtle nesting season is coming to a close and Florida wildlife experts say it's looking like a record-breaking year for two turtle species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute released statewide totals as of the end of August, which show high numbers for Kemp's ridley and leatherback nests.
The total for Kemp's ridley nests was 24 with the previous year being 10 and eight in 2022. There were 1,795 leatherback nests, which is more than the 1,711 counted in 2023 and 1,825 in 2022. There were 109,929 loggerhead nests which is up from 133,958 in 2023 and 116,503 in 2022.
Officials said despite these numbers, green turtle nests remained low, which isn't "surprising nor concerning to our team at this time." A Facebook post said green turtles had record-breaking numbers in 2023.
In July, a record number of sea turtle nests were recorded in the Tampa Bay area on Anna Maria Island with 546 found. The latest recorded number totals 685.
Here are some steps beachgoers can follow to make sure they don't disturb the nests:
- Make sure to take everything with you when you leave the beach
- Fill in holes, knock down sandcastles and take furniture off the beach
- Don’t abandon fishing gear
- Don’t disturb nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings
- Do contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Rescue to report any dead or injured marine life
- Don’t use artificial light (cell phones, flash photography, fishing lamps) on the beach at night
- If you find a turtle (adult or hatchling) in distress, please call AMITWSBM at 941-301-8434, or FWC at 888-404-3922
Anyone who sees a stranded or dead sea turtle or marine mammal within Sarasota or Manatee County waters is encouraged to call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 888-345-2335.
If you see a stranded manatee or sea turtle in state waters call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
