As of July 1, the SCCF sea turtle team has relocated 40 nests in advance of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s (CEPD) beach renourishment project, which is slated to begin on the south end of Captiva Island in August. 

Nests are relocated 65 days prior to the start of a beach project to ensure that all nests remaining on the beach have hatched and been inventoried prior to any beach construction. 

All nests must be moved by 9 a.m. to minimize damage to eggs caused by movement. 

Starting July 2, the team will expand the relocation zone to include the next phase of the project, which extends to Sunset Captiva Lane (just north of the Chapel by the Sea). The relocation zone will expand again on July 12, and beginning on July 22, the team will relocate all nests laid on Captiva to Sanibel. 

The CEPD has funded five SCCF staff (one biologist and four interns), pictured above, to assist with this massive nest relocation effort. They are also providing housing for the interns.

Staff will continue to monitor all remaining nests on Captiva, as well as relocated nests, through the rest of sea turtle nesting season.