It's May 1st which means it is officially sea turtle nesting season! Beginning now, mama sea turtles will start making their way to our Florida beaches to lay their eggs. It is important that we all do our part to protect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. Below are ways residents and visitors can help:
Keep beach conditions safe.
Turn off the lights. Nassau County Code, Section 37.07, Beachfront Lighting Restrictions, was created to safeguard nesting mothers and their hatchlings. Failure to comply could result in a fine.
Respect the mothers as they produce their hatchlings and fulfill their need to lay as many eggs as possible
Watch out for hatchlings
The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered sea turtles. At sunrise every morning, you will see their volunteers surveying the beach to look for signs that a turtle came ashore during the night. When a nest is identified, it will be roped off with caution tape to prevent people from traversing the area. The nest is then closely monitored and once the eggs have hatched, the AISTW will schedule an excavation to help any hatchlings that didn't make it out on their own, and to collect empty egg shells and unhatched eggs to take inventory and keep track of the number of eggs laid on Nassau County beaches. Interested in attending a turtle excavation? Visit the AISTW webpage and watch for announcements related to excavation schedules. Last but not least, beachfront property owners living along the beach in the unincorporated (County) area (Peters Point south the State Park) should have received the attached mailer late last week with friendly tips on protecting sea turtles from artificial lighting. Please keep this document displayed as a reminder to yourself to remain cognizant of activities that are harmful to nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings.
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