Sea turtle nesting season officially began Thursday, May 1, and the Ponte Vedra Sea Turtle Patrol is calling on all beachgoers to be good neighbors to these ancient marine reptiles by following a few simple, turtle-friendly tips.
“Florida’s Atlantic Coast is a vital nesting ground for over 75% of the world’s population of loggerhead sea turtles,” said Sea Turtle Patrol permit holders Sandy Stam and Colette Crone. “We also welcome green, leatherback and Kemp’s ridley marine turtles to our shores. It’s up to us to share the sand responsibly and make sure their nesting journey ends with a safe start for the next generation.”
Because most marine turtles lay their nests during the night hours, trained sea turtle patrol teams conduct daily morning surveys to monitor activity. When a patrol discovers a nest, it is triangulated by stakes and taped off to protect it.
Beachgoers can do their part by remembering: “Clean, Dark, Flat.”
Clean: Leave only footprints! Sea turtles search for a quiet and obstacle-free space to make their nests. This means no plastic, toys or leftover chairs remaining on the beach after dusk. If it didn’t originate naturally from the ocean, it shouldn’t remain on the beach.
Dark: Lights out, turtles are out and about! Nesting females and hatchlings find the ocean by following the light of the moon, and flashlights, phones or bright building lights can lead them astray, often with fatal consequences. St. Johns County enforces strict lighting rules to help keep their path clear and natural.
Flat: Your personal sandcastle or mighty hole to China might be a trap for a turtle. Before you leave, flatten sand sculptures and fill in holes. What’s fun for humans can be hazardous for a nesting mama or tiny hatchling.
If a sea turtle is seen nesting or a hatchling is discovered along the beach, report it to the permit holder listed on the nest marker or contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
