Researchers Expect Another Big Sea Turtle Nesting Season In Florida

This week kicks off Sea Turtle Nesting Season.

"Last year we had a great season. We ended up as our third highest season overall."

Senior researcher Sara Hirsch at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach says they counted nearly 17,000 leatherback, loggerhead and green sea turtle nests, despite a good deal of erosion from hurricane season.

"They kind of spread their nests out over space and time. And so that kind of helps them to ensure that at least one of their nests will survive."

Hirsch says temporary beach closures played a small part in last year's success, but Loggerhead expects another good year on the 9 and a half mile stretch of beach they monitor.

Residents with beachfront homes are asked to keep their outdoor lights off at night, as it could cause turtles to become disoriented.

Nesting season started Monday on Florida's Atlantic coast. The Gulf Coast season begins May 1 and runs through October 31 statewide.

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Photo: Getty Images


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