| |
(Click on photo for larger image.)
Sea turtle hatchlings emerge.
(FWC photo by Meghan Koperski)
|
Sharing the beach with sea turtles:
- If you happen to see a nesting sea turtle while you are on the beach, stay
behind her and at such a distance that she cannot see you.
- Keep your distance.
- Remain quiet.
- Keep all lights off (flashlight, flash from cameras or videos) unless you have
an approved filtered light source.
- Avoid excessive movements on nesting beaches.
- Give the turtle space to return to the water and do not hinder her progress.
- Understand that digging up eggs, interfering with nesting (before, during or
after nesting) or sitting on sea turtles is harmful to sea turtle survival and
is illegal. Report sea turtle harassment to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline
1-888-404-3922.
Nesting Considerations:
- Keep the beach dark by keeping light sources hidden from the beach during
nesting season.
- Sign up for FWC-sanctioned guided sea turtle watches so you don’t unnecessarily
disturb nesting sea turtles.
- Before nightfall, remove beach furniture and other obstacles on nesting beaches.
- Keep the beaches clear of plastics and debris, especially near the dune line.
- If you like to dig large holes or moats when you visit Florida’s beaches,
excavate close to the surf line and fill the holes back in before you leave the
beach.
- Keep your pets leashed if you walk your animals at night on beaches where pets
are allowed.
|
