Sea Turtle Nesting Season: Hurricane Impact and Community Support Needs

Hurricane Impact on Sea Turtle Nests

• 🌪️ Last year's three hurricanes caused significant disruption to wildlife, including sea turtles, leading to the loss of approximately 200 nests.
• 📈 Despite the losses, the Anamaria Island Turtle Watch team reported an average year with about 20,600 hatchlings due to early nesting before the storms.

Dune Erosion and Light Pollution Concerns

• 🏖️ Hurricanes reduced dune height from about 5 feet to ankle-high, increasing the visibility of beach lights.
• 💡 Sea turtles use natural light as a guide to the horizon, but artificial lights on the beach can cause them to follow the wrong path.

How the Community Can Help Protect Sea Turtles

• 🔦 Residents and visitors are advised to dim their lights or use amber lighting near the beach.
• 🚮 Other crucial actions include throwing away trash, knocking down sandcastles, and filling in holes on the beach.
• 🎯 With only one hatchling in a thousand surviving to adulthood, every effort to save them makes a significant difference.