As of June 12, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has documented a total of 372 sea turtle nests on Sanibel and Captiva since April 24. This includes 371 loggerhead nests and one leatherback nest.
Despite heavy rains and flooding from the wet season’s first tropical system, there is no immediate threat to the nests. Sea turtle eggs are permeable, so a bit of extra water is usually not a problem and may even have a beneficial cooling effect.
The SCCF explains that the most significant threats to incubating eggs from storms include prolonged inundation and beach erosion, which can wash out nests or alter their conditions. Fortunately, sea turtles lay multiple nests each season at different times, increasing the chances of successful hatchlings even if some nests are lost.
The public can assist in protecting nesting females and hatchlings by:
- Turning off beach-front lights after dark
- Filling in holes on the beach
- Flattening sandcastles
- Removing beach furniture and trash
If you need to report a new nest or issues with nests, turtles, beach lighting, or beach furniture, please call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.
For more information on how to protect and care for sea turtles, visit SanCap Lifesavers
