Sea turtle nests close to shorelines are in danger as Hurricane Dorian heads toward Florida. The amount of water that could potentially crash onto our shores could wash them out completely.
Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol has been doing everything they can to protect nests along Jacksonville's beaches. All they can do is use GPS tracking systems, place back stakes in the sand dunes and create nest markers with stakes, orange tape and nest numbers.
“We’re not permitted to move any nests or relocate them to other areas so we take those measures and hope for the best," says Jennifer Burns, a marine turtle permit holder for the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol.
The patrol is now asking the public to help them protect the turtle nests and hatchlings. If people see washed up nest markers, you should move them higher up the beach. You can also take a photo of the nest number on the stake and text it to Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol at (904) 613-6081.
When helping to protect and save these nests, it's important to remember to be careful because they are fragile.
“Only if they’re washing out they should move that. If they see hatchlings or eggs, we want people to just let nature take its course," Burns said.
Nests on Jacksonville Beach are already in danger during high tide. Several of them are already partially or fully in water and have had at least a foot of sand cover them. The nests could expect to see more water and sand obliterate them. Burns doubts if some nests will survive the storm.