Sea turtle nesting season begins in Florida, with beachgoers urged to exercise caution
By Jimena Romero
February 28, 2025 at 9:46 AM EST
The beginning of March means the start of sea turtle nesting season.
This is the time of year when female sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Wildlife officials estimate about 90% of sea turtle nesting in the United States takes place in Florida.
"Through plastic pollution, plastic ingestion, entanglement in fishing gear, interference with boat strikes and unfortunately water quality issues, turtles are telling us that oceans need help," said Andy Dehart, the CEO of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.
Dehart stresses that beachgoers need to exercise special caution to protect the endangered species.
"Keep your distance. Oftentimes we see people out on the beach at night with flashlights. Flashlights can be really dangerous for juvenile and baby sea turtles, they orient to the light and they need the light off the moon in the water to orient to the ocean," he said.
Sea turtle nesting season runs through October.
READ MORE: Florida refuges hit by federal job cuts: 'We're holding our breath to hang on to what we have.'
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.
This is the time of year when female sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Wildlife officials estimate about 90% of sea turtle nesting in the United States takes place in Florida.
"Through plastic pollution, plastic ingestion, entanglement in fishing gear, interference with boat strikes and unfortunately water quality issues, turtles are telling us that oceans need help," said Andy Dehart, the CEO of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.
Dehart stresses that beachgoers need to exercise special caution to protect the endangered species.
"Keep your distance. Oftentimes we see people out on the beach at night with flashlights. Flashlights can be really dangerous for juvenile and baby sea turtles, they orient to the light and they need the light off the moon in the water to orient to the ocean," he said.
Sea turtle nesting season runs through October.
READ MORE: Florida refuges hit by federal job cuts: 'We're holding our breath to hang on to what we have.'
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.