MANASOTA KEY — It's nearly a month into the 2024 sea turtle nesting season, and the Coastal Wildlife Club welcomed its first recorded leatherback turtle nest on Manasota Key.
Loggerheads, green and Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests are found on beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, whereas leatherbacks are much more likely to nest on the Atlantic Coast. Occasionally, they will nest on panhandle or south Florida beaches.
CWC volunteer Carol McCoy said it's good news for Manasota Key.
"Over the years there have been leatherback nests to the south, and to the north of us, and we hoped it would happen here one day," McCoy said. "It finally did, and Coastal Wildlife Sea Turtle Patrollers are over the moon."
McCoy said that leatherbacks help keep the ocean in balance.
"They are predators of jellyfish, keeping their populations in check," she said. "Jellyfish feed on fish larvae, and too many jellyfish eating too much fish larvae could decrease populations of adult fish that humans and other animals depend on for food."
Leatherbacks aren't quite like their relatives. They're the largest of the seven turtle species. They do not have a bony shell and are scaleless.
"Unlike the other species of sea turtles, leatherbacks can tolerate cold water due to some unique adaptations that allow them to generate and retain body heat," McCoy said.
With Memorial Day weekend approaching, McCoy along with state wildlife officials are beach-goers to be respectful toward sea turtle nests and wildlife.
"Beachgoers can help ensure nesting success for both sea turtles and beach-nesting birds by giving them space, removing beach furniture and trash before leaving for the day, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests," Florida Wildlife Commission spokesperson Lisa Thompson said. "Because Florida’s shorelines are critical for sea turtle and shorebird nesting, anyone spending time along our beaches and coasts can have a big impact on the success of this year’s nesting season."
The FWC states that several of the local sea turtles are considered federally threatened or endangered species. Beach-nesting birds like the black skimmers, least terns, snowy plovers and American oystercatchers are also considered imperiled.
FWC's Sea Turtle Management Program Lead Robbin Trindell said that people should stay 50 feet or more away from nesting sea turtles.
"Getting too close to nesting sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they complete the nesting process," Trindell said. "By always giving nesting turtles space, you can help marine turtles have another successful nesting season in Florida this year.”
The FWC reminds individuals that it is illegal to harm, harass and take nesting sea turtles along with their eggs and hatchlings.
FWC Florida Shorebird Alliance Coordinator Florencia Morales said the distance rules apply for beach-nesting birds, too.
"People can help with nesting success of waterbirds by keeping at least 300 feet from nesting shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds," Morales said. "By giving nesting waterbirds plenty of space, you can help avoid causing them to flush from their nesting sites, which would leave vulnerable eggs and chicks exposed to the elements and predators.”
Sick, injured, entangled or dead wildlife can be reported by calling The FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
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