The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents and visitors to help protect sea turtles, shorebirds and seabirds as nesting season gets underway across Florida’s beaches.
Florida’s beaches serve as critical nesting habitat for threatened and endangered sea turtles, including loggerhead, leatherback, green and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Beachgoers who encounter nesting turtles are urged to remain at least 50 feet away and avoid disturbing turtles, nests, eggs or hatchlings, which are protected by law, according to FWC.
The agency is also asking the public to give nesting shorebirds and seabirds at least 300 feet of space to prevent birds from abandoning vulnerable eggs and chicks. Species commonly nesting along Florida’s coasts include black skimmers, least terns, snowy plovers, and American oystercatchers.
FWC encourages beach visitors to remove trash, beach furniture, and toys before sunset, fill in holes dug in the sand, avoid fireworks on beaches, and keep pets leashed and away from nesting areas. Officials also recommend limiting lights near beaches at night, as artificial lighting can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings.
Wildlife violations or injured sea turtles can be reported to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.
SOURCE: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
