As the holiday weekend approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging beachgoers to be mindful of sea turtles and shorebirds that continue to use Florida’s beaches for nesting. The agency emphasizes that people can help protect these animals by giving them space, removing beach gear at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and filling in any holes dug in the sand before leaving.
Florida’s sandy beaches are crucial nesting grounds for several imperiled sea turtle species. Hatchlings are still emerging from nests on many state beaches. Interference from artificial lights or close encounters with people or pets can disorient hatchlings and lower their chances of survival. The FWC reminds the public that all sea turtle species and their nests are protected by law, making it illegal to harm or disturb nesting turtles, eggs, or hatchlings.
Shorebirds and seabirds also rely on Florida’s coastlines for nesting, resting, and migration. While most shorebird nesting is ending for the season, flightless chicks remain on many beaches with their parents. Migratory birds such as piping plovers and red knots are returning to Florida to rest during their journeys south.
The FWC recommends several actions for those visiting the beach:
"Give sea turtles, emerging hatchlings and shorebirds space. Getting too close — less than 50 feet — to sea turtle hatchlings or nesting sea turtles can prevent them from getting to where they need to go. Remember – it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests and eggs, or to pick up hatchlings. If an animal changes its behavior when you approach, that is a sign that you might be too close."
"Keep dogs leashed and far from any wildlife and posted areas, including visible sea turtle nests, if bringing your pup to dog-friendly beaches. Even friendly dogs can be seen as predators by shorebirds, which can cause them to flush and leave their chicks."
"While not a common occurrence, be on the lookout for disoriented sea turtles and hatchlings, or young, flightless shorebirds in unexpected places, such as coastal sidewalks or roadways. Drive slowly along coastal routes to help keep both wildlife and human pedestrians safe. If you find a sea turtle hatchling or adult sea turtle in distress, please immediately call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) for further guidance."
"Close curtains after dark to help ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed by interior lights as they come ashore, and hatchlings are not disoriented as they emerge from their nests. Make sure any required exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long, low and shielded. Avoid using any color flashlight, cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach."
"Clear the way at the end of the day to help nesting sea turtles, emerging hatchlings and shorebirds. Obstacles on the beach and holes in the sand can trap or prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water and adult sea turtles from being able to nest, so it is important to remove all beach toys and furniture before leaving. If you or your family dig a hole on the beach, keep it closer to the water line to avoid active sea turtle nests and make sure you fill it back in before leaving to avoid trapping sea turtles and hatchlings as well as flightless shorebird chicks."
"Trash and food scraps attract predators that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings and flightless shorebirds, so it is important to properly dispose of these items after a day at the beach. Fishing line can be deadly to sea turtles, waterbirds and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of it properly."
To support proper disposal of fishing line—a threat for both marine life like sea turtles—the FWC provides information about monofilament recycling stations at mrrp.myfwc.com.
For more information about how residents can assist with protecting nesting animals along Florida's coasts—including brochures such as “Be a Beach Hero” for sea turtles—visit MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.
Additional resources about supporting nesting shorebirds, including downloadable guides like “Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds,” are available at MyFWC.com/Shorebirds.