Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2016 Breaks Records

SARASOTA, FL — Sea turtle lovers have reason to celebrate. Mote Marine Laboratory’s scientists have reported that the 2016 nesting season from Longboat Key south to Venice was a record-breaker.

“Not only was this year record-breaking, but we saw almost twice the amount of nests we saw last year, which is just incredible,” said Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.

Mazzarella explained that the numbers are incredible because it takes turtles about 30 years to reach sexual maturity so they can produce eggs. “We hope that one reason we are seeing this increase is because the baby turtles Mote started to protect 30 years ago are now old enough to come back and lay their eggs.”

Through its Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, Mote scientists have coordinated conservation efforts for endangered sea turtles along a 35-mile stretch of beaches, mainly in Sarasota County, for the past 35 years. In addition to helping count and protect nests, the program has provided scientists with crucial data to help them gain a better understanding of sea turtle populations.

'Incredible' Totals

Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol confirmed a total of 4,588 nests along the 35-mile stretch of beaches in 2016. The total number of nests recorded in 2015 was 2,103.

The breakdown at some of the beaches was as follows:

• Manatee County’s Longboat Key – 578 nests laid versus 340 in 2015
• The whole of Longboat Key – 1,184 nests laid, which beat 2015’s number by 486 nests
• Siesta Key – 476 nests laid, which beat 2015’s number by 78 nests

Sea turtle nesting season typically ends on Oct. 31, but turtles don’t necessarily pay attention to the calendar. Case in point, one final nest on Siesta Key remain unhatched heading into December. On Monday, Dec. 12, Mote staff excavated the nest and found one loggerhead sea turtle beginning to emerge from its egg. Another fully hatched turtle was found. The other eggs, Mote said, were not viable.

“One of those hatchlings survived and received short-term care in Mote's Hatchling Hospital, especially to gradually warm its body,” Mote reported Tuesday, Dec. 13. “The hatchling was released the same evening from Siesta Key. Sea turtle nests in southwest Florida often take about 55 days to hatch, but cooler conditions — such as Siesta Key's white sand and autumn cool-downs — can slow this process. This year's final nest was in the sand for more than 90 days.”

How to Help Sea Turtles

Mote’s turtle experts are already preparing for the 2017 nesting season and are looking for donations of supplies and funding. To make a financial contribution to the cause, visit www.mote.org/donate, click "Donations" and choose to donate to Mote's operating fund. At the checkout point, be sure to enter “Sea Turtle Conservation and Research” into the box provided for donor notes.

To offer in-kind donations or supplies, email Kathy Klingensmith at kak@mote.org or call 941-388-4441, Ext. 308. Supplies needed for the 2017 nesting season include black Sharpies, 100-foot large measuring tapes with non-metal blades, medium size latex gloves, all-terrain vehicle covers, 5-gallon cans of yellow paint, large tarps, digital cameras, wire cutters, AAA and AA batteries and red LED headlamps, among others.

Sea turtle nesting season typically runs from May 1 until Oct. 31.

In Florida, all sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws. It is illegal for people to harass, harm or take sea turtles and their eggs. The state is home to five different species: loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, hawksbill, leatherback and green.

To find out more about loggerhead sea turtles in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online. For advice on protecting sea turtles on Gulf Coast beaches, check out this related story.

Anyone who happens to encounter a sick, stranded or injured sea turtle in Manatee or Sarasota county waters is asked to call Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program at 941-988-0212. Sightings outside of those two counties should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Anyone who sees people tampering with sea turtle nests or harassing sea turtles is asked to call FWC, local law enforcement or Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory