INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Clearwater Marine Aquarium sea turtle nesting staff announced the arrival of the first sea turtle hatchlings of the year.
Two sea turtle nests hatched the night of July 9 on Indian Rocks Beach. Ninety-eight hatchlings from nest #1 and 83 hatchlings from nest #2 safely made it to the water.
So far this year, 109 nests have been located, compared to 77 this time last year. As of Friday, July 10, this season had surpassed last year's total number of nests of 108.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) staff members monitor Pinellas County beaches daily for nests. Sea turtles spend most of their lives at sea.
During the night, from May through September, the 350-pound female sea turtles come ashore to deposit her eggs.
Here are some sea turtle safety reminders:
- Turn off outside lights, draw drapes and avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach from May 1 to Oct. 31.
- Do not harass adult turtles as they make their way back to sea. They may appear slow or hesitant and this is normal.
- If you see an adult turtle, do not approach, make noises, shine lights or use photo equipment with a flash.
- Do not pick up hatchlings heading toward the water, shine lights or use photo equipment with a flash.
- Report all sea turtle sightings to CMA at 727-441-1790, ext.224.
During the 2008 sea turtle nesting season, CMA staff helped safely guide 7,399 live hatchlings to the Gulf waters.
Altogether, CMA located 108 nests on 27 miles of Pinellas County beaches.
CMA oversees sea turtle nesting on Pinellas County beaches, locating and protecting Loggerhead nests and ensuring the hatchlings make their way into the ocean.
Over the last three years, CMA has released more than 20,000 hatchlings into the Gulf.
Since 2002, Clearwater Marine Aquarium has released 147 rehabilitated sea turtles. Last year alone, CMA rescued 79 sea turtles, rehabilitated 27 and released 18 of them.
CMA is currently home to 19 turtles, including four different species (Kemp's Ridley, Loggerhead, Green and Hawksbill). The Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered of all sea turtles.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to marine life rescue, rehabilitation and release, and environmental education.
