Stay in the know about wildlife, water quality, and ecosystems on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and in Southwest Florida
Sea Turtle Team Begins Morning Surveys
On April 15, SCCF staff and trained volunteers began surveying 18 miles of beaches on Sanibel and Captiva every morning to look for signs of sea turtle nesting activity. When a nest is found, it’s staked off and monitored daily throughout incubation. Help sea turtles thrive this year by following the tips below:
After 9, it’s turtle time! Turn off/shield all lights visible from the beach
Remove obstacles to nesting females, such as beach furniture, toys, and sandcastles
Fill in holes, which can trap sea turtles, especially hatchlings
Pick up all trash on the beach. Litter can attract predators, and sea turtles can ingest or become entangled by discarded trash and fishing line
Keep at least 10 feet from marked sea turtle nests and do not disturb nesting females
Call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 (978-SAVE-ONE) to report issues with nests, nesting turtles, or hatchlings
Nesting season continues through Oct. 31.
Learn more about SCCF’s sea turtle program>>>