Help protect sea turtles by filling in holes and collapsing sandcastles on the beach
Every year from March to October, sea turtles make their way onto Florida's beaches to lay their eggs, but something as simple as sand castles and holes can hurt them and their hatchlings. Only some sea turtle nests are roped off, so digging deep holes could expose a buried nest that has yet to be marked with stakes. Filling in these holes keeps the turtles safe from falling in, and knocking down sand sculptures take away roadblocks. Tents, chairs, and other debris also pose a risk to nesting sea turtles.
Littering along the best beaches in Florida has also injured sea turtles. Plastic pollution has impacted their reproduction rates because it alters the temperature of the sand where incubation typically occurs.
Marine mammals die each year from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. They can easily mistake debris for food, causing them to choke, be injured, or starve.
The most promising way to save sea turtles is by leaving the beach the way you found it.
Sea turtles are protected by the US Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370.
Remember to throw away debris, fill in holes, observe nesting from a distance, and keep your lights out near the beach during the nesting season. Never interact with or disrupt a nesting sea turtle, use lighting on the beach at night, touch hatchlings or egg shells, and use shovels to dig on the beach during nesting season.
Additional Reading: