DATE: November 5, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Kiel
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division
PHONE: 954-519-1255
EMAIL: ckiel@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward's Sea Turtle Conservation Program is celebrating the end to a successful sea turtle nesting season as data suggests a positive outlook for local population recovery. This means that more turtle mothers are successfully crawling ashore to nest on our beaches. It is the second most active nesting season on record with 3,047 nests, only behind the 2012 season which had 3,539 nests. High nesting numbers are also being seen statewide as the number of loggerhead turtle nests remains high and leatherback sea turtle nesting has increased to a new record according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Loggerhead turtles are the most common species to nest from Miami-Dade County to Palm Beach County. Nesting activity for this species is the second highest on record totaling 2,871. It was a slower than average nesting year for endangered green turtles as 2014 recorded 135 nests compared to last year’s record breaking 490.This is not unusual though as green turtle females tend to mate every two to four years and last year was an exceptionally active nesting year for this species. In addition, it was a very active nesting season for leatherbacks, the rarest marine turtle species to commonly nest here, as they also tend to fluctuate between active, 41 nests in 2014, and slower, 18 nests in 2013.
It is possible that we are starting to see results from previous conservation efforts. Loggerhead turtles reach sexual maturity between 30-35 years and for more than 30 years the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program has helped more sea turtle hatchlings safely reach the water. More hatchlings in the water eventually translate to more nesting mothers returning to our beaches producing even more hatchlings. This is easy to track because nesting mothers generally nest within miles of the beach habitat that they emerged from as hatchlings.
Conservation program officials remind residents and beach goers that there are many actions they can take to help create and conserve sea turtle nesting habitats.
- Limit the use of plastics and utilize re-usable bags as leatherbacks often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish which is the main part of their diet.
- Plastic straws and cup lids may offer convenience however they often end up disposed of improperly adding to potential hazards for many sea creatures.
- Limit the use of all plastics collectively as this can make a big difference.
- Turn off and shield outdoor lights and close blinds to shade interior lights. This will minimize light reaching the beach which can deter nesting turtles and disorient hatchlings.
Sea turtles prefer dark, clean beaches!
For more information on how to help create a more sustainable environment for sea turtles, contact the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program at 954-519-1255. Lastly, if you see any turtles on the beach from now thru March or if you notice a sea turtle in distress, please contact the sea turtle emergency line immediately at 954-328-0580.
About Environmental Planning and Community Resilience
Broward County’s Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County’s natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information call 954-519-1270, visit Broward.org/NaturalResources or follow us on Twitter @BrowardResource.
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