05/18/2023
🐢🐢🐢Biologists identified the first sea turtle nest of the 2023 season in Gulf Islands National Seashore's Santa Rosa Area in Florida, on May 14.
Sea turtle season is from May through October. Park staff and volunteers monitor park beaches daily for nesting activity throughout the season.
Here are some tips on how to recreate responsibly with sea turtles.
🌑Holes on the beach pose a risk to both nesting and hatchling sea turtles. One of the ways visitors can help improve the quality of life for sea turtles is by filling in holes.
🌙Nighttime beach activities by humans have the ability to stop female turtles from wanting to come onshore and nest entirely. When recreating at night, do not use any kind of lights, including flashlights, phones, or colored lights.
🎒Turtles can also get caught in leftover beach equipment, so make sure to pack in and pack out.
For more information about sea turtles at GUIS visit www.nps.gov/guis/learn/nature/seaturtle-species.htm.
(Image of a sea turtle closure in Gulf Islands National Seashore. NPS/Kiss)
