Sea turtle nesting season is underway and hatchlings are being spotted on Pinellas beaches, but also in areas where they could be in danger, like busy roadways. Pinellas County reminds beach residents and visitors in beach communities to keep conditions safe for sea turtles to hatch and make it safely into the Gulf by turning off their lights at night along the beaches.
Most of Pinellas County’s beach communities have ordinances in place prohibiting lighting that casts light towards the beach during turtle nesting season, which ends on Oct. 31.
The reason for the protective ordinances is that sea turtle hatchlings have an inborn instinct—developed before beaches were lit at night—to go toward the brightest light they see after emerging from their nests. In the protection of darkness, the hatchlings use this instinct to move toward the starlit or moonlit sea, their native habitat. If they become misled by artificial light from homes or businesses, they can become disoriented, move towards shore and, potentially, be killed on roadways or other areas dangerous to these tiny creatures.
During nesting season, residents and beach visitors should do the following:
• Turn off outside lights, draw drapes and avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach.
• Do not pick up hatchlings heading toward the water, shine lights or use photo equipment with a flash.
• Do not approach or harass adult turtles as they make their way back to sea.
• Remove obstacles such as sand castles or sand pits that may make it too difficult for hatchlings to make their way to the shoreline.
• Keep the beach clean. Eliminate trash items that may entangle baby hatchlings and adult turtles.
• If residents spot turtle tracks or what might be a nest, and it does not appear to be protected by stakes or ribbon, call the Clearwater Marine Aquarium at (727) 441-1790, ext. 1.
By obeying the law and following some simple guidelines, residents and visitors can greatly improve the chances of sea turtle survival.
Females generally nest from early May through August, with turtle eggs typically taking between 50 and 60 days to hatch.
2016 was a record year for nests and events that impacted them. The area was host to 318 turtle nests with more than 13,000 hatchlings released into the ocean last year. Tropical Storm Colin and Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew damaged and destroyed several nests.
Information Courtesy of Pinellas County Government.