Sea Turtle Tips
Duval County sea turtles are part of the northern family of turtles who are more threatened than the southern turtles, perhaps due to the lack of a large area of nesting sites and the cooler weather.
Adult turtles face mostly man-made threats:
- Loss of habitat.
- Disorientation from artificial light.
- By-catch in shrimp trawls.
- Ingestion of plastic bags, balloons, ribbon and other debris mistaken for food. [See FL balloon release statute].
- Wounds from boat propellers.
- Obstacles on beach which prevent nesting.
- Poaching.
Hatchlings face both man-made and natural threats:
- Disorientation from artificial light.
- Nest predation by animals and human vandals.
- Post-emergent predation by birds, crabs and marine life.
- Obstacles on beach that can trap hatchlings.
- Limit night-time beach activity during nesting season.
- Turn off or shield all beach lighting and keep seaward windows covered.
- Keep beach clean of trash, especially balloons, ribbons and plastic bags.
- Keep beach furniture and toys out of nesting areas.
- Do not disturb sea turtle tracks, eggs, adults, hatchlings or nest markers.
- Report all incidents of disturbance that you may witness to the appropriate authorities.
- Never use flash photography or flashlights, even red-filtered ones, at a nest site. Even lights from cell phones can disturb the hatchlings if they are near the top of the nest. [Read more about your nightvision]
- Heed instructions from patrol volunteers if you are fortunate enough to witness a nest emergence.
- If you find a hatchling do not put it in the ocean. Place it in a bucket of moist sand, cover with a towel and call BSTP immediately.
- Buy a Sea Turtle Specialty tag for your vehicle.
- Support BSTP's efforts by making donations, adopting a nest or acquiring t-shirts and other BSTP Gear.
 Click image to enlarge. |
Remember, it is illegal to touch, handle or interfere in any way with any sea turtle, nest or hatchling, alive or dead, unless instructed by an FWC-permitted individual. Enjoy the beach but please leave only your footprints. |
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P.O. Box 50723
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240-0723
Emergency Phone: (904) 613-6081
