07/06/2024
π’Fort Morgan is a sea turtle nesting area. Nesting season runs from May 1 to October 31. Please help us keep our beaches clean and safe for turtles...and humans.π
Here's some rules and guidelines established by our local conservation groups:
1. Never disturb or touch the turtles or their nests. It is against state law.
2. Do not use bright flashlights or flash photography near turtles or nests. It disorients them. Only use red flashlight filters at night.
3. If you dig any holes in the sand during the day, always make sure you fill them in before leaving the beach.
4. Pick up all beach chairs, tents, toys, etc., and clean up all trash before leaving the beach.
UPDATE: Thank you all so much for helping to spread the word about the importance of not disturbing sea turtles, including the use of flash photography and lights. The photo was sent to the Sea Turtle Stranding Network by an anonymous tourist who was concerned for the safety of the loggerhead sea turtle on Friday, July 5th.
A team leader from Share the Beach (a volunteer sea turtle conservation group) immediately arrived at the scene. By that time, the sea turtle was already back in the Gulf. The team leader educated the tourists on the proper way to behave around nesting sea turtles.
No person may take, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, or capture any marine turtle, turtle nest, and/or eggs, or attempt to engage in such conduct.
Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this act may be assessed a civil penalty up to $25,000 or a criminal penalty up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment.
For more information or to report sea turtle nesting activity, please call 1-866-SEA-TURTLE, www.joinACF.org
ORIGINAL POST: This sea turtle attempted to nest on an Alabama beach last night. However, the crowd of people and flashing lights deterred her from finding a suitable spot. Instead, she went back into the water, keeping her eggs with her. When you see a nesting sea turtle, leave it alone. Give her plenty of room and do not use lights or flash photography. Their survival DEPENDS on it!