PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Sea turtle nesting season has officially commenced in Pinellas County, beginning May 1 and extending through October 31. As these protected marine animals come ashore to lay their eggs, residents and visitors are reminded of the crucial role they play in ensuring the survival of the next generation.
A critical challenge facing newly hatched sea turtles is their journey from the nest to the open water. Guided instinctively by the natural light reflection of the moon on the water’s surface, hatchlings can become dangerously disoriented by artificial lighting emanating from buildings, streets, and homes. This confusion can lead them away from the safety of the ocean and towards perilous areas such as parking lots, swimming pools, and roadways, often with fatal consequences. Hatchlings must conserve their limited energy for the crucial swim offshore to reach protective floating algae beds; disorientation wastes this vital energy. It is estimated that only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood.
READ: Florida Gulf Coast Fishing Report: May 3rd – 4th, 2025
All species of sea turtles are safeguarded under both state and federal law. Recognizing the threat posed by artificial light, the City of Clearwater also enforces local ordinances regulating beachfront lighting to minimize hazards for nesting turtles and emerging hatchlings.
To help protect these vulnerable creatures, residents and visitors in coastal areas are strongly encouraged to take the following steps:
- Close curtains and blinds after sunset to prevent interior light from reaching the beach.
- Turn off unnecessary decorative outdoor lighting.
- Install turtle-friendly lighting, which typically emits a lower wavelength light (amber or red) and is shielded to direct light downwards and away from the beach.
Pinellas County beaches, including those in Clearwater, provide vital nesting grounds for several species, including loggerheads, green sea turtles, and the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley.
Beyond managing lighting, beachgoers can further contribute to sea turtle conservation by:
- Flattening all sandcastles and filling in any holes dug on the beach before leaving.
- Properly disposing of all trash and litter.
- Removing all personal belongings from the beach at the end of the day.
- Avoiding walking on sand dunes, which serve as important habitat and protection for nesting areas.
- Refraining from using flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach at night.
- Reducing single-use plastic consumption, as plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine life, including sea turtles.
In 2024, a total of 423 loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtle nests were documented across Pinellas County. Each nest typically contains between 100 and 150 eggs. While this number reflects successful nesting, the recording of 597 additional false crawls (instances where a turtle came ashore but did not lay eggs) last year underscores the importance of providing undisturbed beaches for turtles attempting to nest.
If you encounter a sea turtle nest that is not marked, it is crucial not to disturb it. Instead, report the location immediately to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s rescue hotline at (727) 441-1790, extension 1. Disturbing sea turtle nests is a violation of state and federal law and can result in significant penalties, including possible jail time.
By being mindful of their presence and taking simple precautions, the community can make a significant difference in the survival rate of sea turtle hatchlings and help protect these magnificent species for future generations.
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