Sea Turtle Nesting Season Concludes on Islands with Record-Breaking Loggerhead Season
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that the last remaining sea turtle nest on Sanibel and Captiva was inventoried on Oct. 13, concluding the islands’ record-breaking loggerhead nesting season.
This year, the islands had a record 1,177 loggerhead nests, as well as 24 green sea turtle nests — about average for Sanibel and Captiva. A total of 27,368 hatchlings emerged into the Gulf of Mexico.
SCCF sea turtle biologist Jack Brzoza said the record-breaking season is “a testament to the success of our conservation efforts.” He added that the islands’ beaches provide critical nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
“Loggerhead sea turtles play an important role in the marine ecosystem,” Brzoza said. “They help to keep seagrass beds healthy, which provides food and habitat for other marine life.”
Brzoza reminded beachgoers to continue to be mindful of sea turtles throughout the remainder of the year. Even though nesting season has ended, sea turtles still feed and migrate through the Gulf of Mexico.
