Sea turtle nesting season is underway once more in Florida as thousands gather to lay their eggs before heading back into the wide ocean from whence they came.
Three species in particular regularly use Florida's sunny shores to bury their eggs -- the loggerhead, leatherback and green. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as much as 90 percent of US loggerhead nesting takes place in Florida. However, between coastal development and high vessel traffic, both it and other sea turtle species are facing a more challenging time making it to and from their nesting sites.
Artificial lighting along beaches as well have been shown to be disruptful, confusing hatchlings who have evolved to rely on the light of the moon to make their way to the ocean after they are born.
To combat these threats, the FWC has developed a number of projects over the years designed to eliminate errant lighting, help rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and guide coastal construction practices and commercial fishing activities in ways that eliminate harm to the creatures.
According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, individuals can take measures as well to help in the effort of protecting the sensitive process, including going to the beach at night and turning off outside patio lights and shield lights that shine directly onto the beach. Furthermore, the organization cautions that individuals crossing a dune to use designated cross over and walkways and to avoid disturbing marked sea turtle nests and avoiding leaving any trash in the area.
A FWC report reveals that the last several years have seen a sharp increase in the number of loggerhead nest counts, hitting a low of just over 30,000 in 2006 before nearly doubling just six years later.