Anna Maria Island Sea Turtle Patrols Begin Amid Post-Hurricane Concerns

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Kickoff

• 🐢 Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch is beginning its annual sea turtle patrols, with the official nesting season starting May 1st.
• 🎯 Volunteers are surveying shorelines, including Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach, for mama turtle tracks that could lead to nests.
• 📍 If a nest is found, it will be marked with stakes and flagging tape to protect it from human activity and heavy beach equipment.

Hurricane Impact on Nesting Sites

• 🌪️ Hurricanes Selene, Debbie, and Helen caused significant damage, destroying many sea turtle nests and crucial dune systems and vegetation.
• ⚠️ The destruction of dunes and vegetation exacerbates light pollution issues, making it harder for turtles to navigate.

Addressing Light Disorientation

• 💡 Artificial lights can disorient sea turtles, causing them to move away from the dark horizon and potentially wander into streets.
• 🏠 Residents and visitors are urged to use red or amber turtle-friendly bulbs, shield lights, or turn off outdoor lights at night.
• 🤝 Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch is hosting a kickoff party on May 1st, offering free turtle-friendly light bulbs.

Additional Nesting Season Tips

• 🗑️ Avoiding litter on the beach is important, as trash can attract predators that threaten hatchlings.
• 🏖️ Filling in holes and knocking down sandcastles helps prevent baby turtles from getting lost on their way to the water.
• 📞 For distressed sea turtles or new nests, contact Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434 or the FWC wildlife alert hotline.