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SEATURTLE.ORG SC DNR US FISH & WILDFISH (N FL) SEE SEA TURTLE PHOTOS
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Welcome to Sea-Turtles
Around the world, many species of sea turtles have become threatened or endangered. With the help of many, the numbers are starting to come back. We believe if you become educated about a subject you didn't know much about, you might care more and want to help. We hope to share with you some fact on Sea Turtles in general so if you happen to come across one you will know what to do, or not to do. The two main predators for Sea Turtles are tiger sharks and humans, not just the poachers. Sometimes we don't think about the things we do like coastal development, which has destroyed the nesting grounds for some sea turtles. Up to 10,000 turtles die due to drowning from shrimp fisher nets, coastal gill nets, longlines, driftnets, and our trash such as discarded fishing gear, plastic bags that have entered the waters and other marine debris. Disease (such as fibropapilloma), is also a big concern.
If you see an injured or dead turtle, do not move it or touch any tags. If you see a turtle with paint on its shell, the standed turtle has already been reported and documented. If you are the first to stop the turtle, you can call a local Department of Natural Resourses.
How you can help
If you are vacationing or living on a beach please take the effort during the nesting season to participate in the Lights Out For Turtles. Artificial lights affect the nesting and hatching of sea turtles. To evade predators, nesting takes place at night. Females may avoid visiting brightly lit beaches. If she feels distrubed, she most likely will return to the ocean without nesting. Once she has dug her nest, you may be able to watch from behind as she lays her eggs, any sound, light or movement could scare her and cause her to head back to the ocean before finishing nesting. She may drop her remaining eggs in the ocean. If you see the nest, please report it to a local turtle team member. They will mark the nest with a bright orange sign.
When the tiny hatchlings do hatch, they normally emerge at night and are drawn to the reflection of the moonlight dancing on the surface of the ocean and the white caps of the surf. Sometimes street lights, porchlights, headlights, flashlights (are you geting the picture, "lights") will confuse the young turtles and they will run the wrong way. Moving quickly from the nest to the ocean is critical for their survial. Do not use flash lights or flash photography if you happen to see them on the beach at night.
