Sea turtle nesting season underway on islands with first nest
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that a leatherback nest was found on Sanibel on April 24, marking the first sea turtle nest of the season for the islands.
Leatherbacks are the largest turtle species in the world and are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
“Leatherback nesting on the Florida’s Gulf Coast is rare,” SCCF sea turtle biologist Jack Brzoza said. “These turtles more commonly nest on the east coast of the state.”
The SCCF has only recorded leatherback nesting in 2009, 2015 and 2020. The 2009 and 2015 seasons each had one nest, but in 2020 a single turtle, identified during night surveys, laid six nests across Sanibel and Captiva.
At an average of 6 feet long and between 500-1,500 pounds, leatherbacks are significantly larger than loggerheads — the islands’ most abundant nesting sea turtle species. Green sea turtles and Kemp’s ridleys have also nested on Sanibel and Captiva.
April 15 officially marked the first day of nesting season, which will run through October.
The SCCF reported that hundreds of more sea turtle nests will be laid across the islands, and staff and volunteers will be out daily to monitor and protect each one. Beginning at sunrise, the sea turtle team surveys the 18 miles of beaches on Sanibel and Captiva looking for new nests, monitors existing ones and collects inventory data on hatched ones.
“The vast majority of these nests will be laid by loggerheads, but it’s possible there still could be a few more leatherbacks nests laid this season,” Brzoza said.
Sea turtle monitoring originally began on Sanibel in the 1950s with Charles LeBuff and Caretta Research Inc., making it one of the longest-running monitoring programs in the country. When Caretta Research disbanded in 1992, the SCCF took over the program and continues to manage it today.
It provided the following tips to help keep the islands sea turtle-friendly:
– After 9 p.m., it is turtle time! Turn off/shield all lights visible on or from the beach, which disorient hatchlings. Do not use flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach. If necessary, use amber or red LED bulbs.
– Remove obstacles for nesting females, such as beach furniture, toys and sandcastles.
– Fill in holes, which can trap sea turtles, especially hatchlings.
– Pick up all trash on the beach. Litter can attract predators, and sea turtles can ingest or become entangled by discarded trash and fishing line.
– Keep at least 10 feet from marked sea turtle nests. Do not disturb nesting turtles — do not to get too close, shine lights on or take flash photos of nesting sea turtles.
– Do not disturb the screens covering nests. They prevent predators from eating the eggs. Hatchlings can emerge through the holes without assistance.
In addition, boaters can do their part to keep the surrounding waters sea turtle-friendly by:
– Avoiding the area along the beach, if possible.
– Having a designated spotter on the boat to look out for sea turtles.
– Wearing polarized sunglasses to help with spotting sea turtles.
– Going as slow as possible in areas where sea turtles are or might be.
For more ways to protect and care for sea turtles, visit https://sancaplifesavers.org/.
To report issues with nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings, call the SCCF’s Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-SAVE-ONE (978-728-3663).
For more information about the SCCF’s Sea Turtle Program, visit https://sccf.org/what-we-do/protect-wildlife/sea-turtle-program/.