Sea turtle nesting season is officially underway. Officials are advising beachgoers to take precautions to help keep turtles safe.
Eager beachgoers aren’t the only ones flocking to Florida beaches. Sea turtle nesting season begins Tuesday and goes through October as they begin laying eggs across the coastline.
Simona Ceriani from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers some tips to ensure sea turtles have a safe, successful nesting season.
“I will say the beachgoers should enjoy the beach but keep an eye that the beach is used at night by sea turtles and therefore they should make sure to leave no trace,” says Ceriani.
This includes removing chairs and umbrellas from the beach at night and filling in holes.
Ceriani says it’s also important to turn off all lights near the beach. Baby turtles use the moon to find the ocean and other lights could lead them away from the water and into danger.
She also reminds people that sea turtles are a protected species
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