The sea turtle nesting season for Sanibel and Captiva commenced on April 15, with the earliest recorded nest on our beaches being laid by a loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) on the same day in 2020. Last year, the season’s first nest on the islands was laid on April 27, which means that we can expect the first nest any day now.
Every day from now until Oct. 31, members of SCCF’s sea turtle team will survey both islands at sunrise, searching for new nests, monitoring existing ones, and collecting inventory data on hatched ones. Five sea turtle species, which are either threatened or endangered, can be found in Florida’s waters and nesting on its beaches. These highly migratory creatures rely on coastal waters for foraging, migration, and breeding during various stages of life. Florida’s beaches are crucial nesting sites for globally important subpopulations, including the Northwest Atlantic loggerheads. The quality of Florida’s beaches is critical in attracting nesting turtles and producing healthy hatchlings, which can affect population trends.
Loggerheads, greens, and, in rare instances, leatherbacks and Kemp’s ridleys, use Sanibel and Captiva shores as essential nesting habitats from April through October. These turtles face numerous threats throughout their lives and are at high risk while on the beach. By following some basic guidelines, you can increase the chances of survival for nesting turtles and hatchlings.
You can help sea turtles that nest on Florida’s beaches, you just need to follow below rules
- Turn off or shield all lights that are visible from the beach.
- Do not use flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach. If necessary, use amber or red LED bulbs.
- Do not disturb the screens covering nests. They prevent predators from eating the eggs and the hatchlings emerge through the holes without assistance.
- Remove all beach furniture and equipment from the beach at night.
- Dispose of fishing line properly to avoid wildlife entanglement.
- Fill in large holes that can trap hatchlings and nesting sea turtles.
- Do not disturb nesting turtles – please do not to get too close, shine lights on, or take flash photos of nesting sea turtles.
- Pick up litter.
In addition, boaters can do their part to keep the surrounding waters sea turtle-friendly by:
Avoid 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.
Please call to report any of the following concerns:
- Stranded sea turtles or hatchlings (live, injured, or dead)
- Nests that have been tampered with
- Eggs that have been dug up
- Exposed eggs or nests being washed away
- Unmarked nests you believe our sea turtle monitoring teams have missed (teams begin at sunrise and cover varying length sections of the beach)
- Daytime hatching
- Issues with beachfront lighting, holes dug on the beach, or beach furniture/unused equipment remaining on the beach from 9:00pm to 7:00am
- call +1 978-728-3663
