Care urged during sea turtle nesting season

Sea turtle nesting season began May 1, and St. Johns County officials are asking residents, visitors and businesses to help protect natural habitat by observing all nesting season laws and regulations.

All beachfront properties are required to reduce their impact by eliminating interior and exterior lights that may disrupt nesting sea turtles.

Volleyball court lights at St. Johns County Pier Park will turn on at sunset and turn off at 9 p.m. during this time.

Beach visitors can also have a positive impact on nesting sea turtles by taking the following actions while enjoying the beach:

• Refrain from using fireworks and open fires.
• Remove ruts and sand castles.
• Avoid using flashlights.
• Avoid entering sand dunes and conservation zones (15 feet seaward of the dune line).
• Refrain from using balloons.
• Never approach sea turtles emerging from or returning to the sea.
• Never push an injured animal back into the ocean. If an injured, sick, or deceased sea turtle is encountered, call the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at 904-824-8304.

For further information, call St. Johns County Habitat Conservation and Beach Management at 904-209-3740 or go to www.sjcfl.us/hcp.