Juno Beach, FL – Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) has closed out the 2023 sea turtle nesting season with a record-breaking 25,025 nests! From March 1 to October 31, LMC researchers monitored the 9.5-mile stretch of beach in Juno, Jupiter-Carlin Park, and Tequesta, and counted approximately 300 sea turtle nests every day during peak season in June and July.
Three different species of sea turtles commonly nest along the beaches in the state of Florida, all of which are threatened or endangered. LMC has currently documented 216 nests from leatherbacks, 15,672 nests from loggerheads, and 9,137 nests from green turtles. Nesting monitors have recorded twice as many green sea turtle nests compared to 2022.
This milestone achievement for sea turtle conservation is attributed to various conservation efforts over the past few decades. This includes major changes to fishing regulations in the late 1980’s in addition to standardized monitoring and protection efforts of nesting females and hatchlings on nesting beaches. The “leave no trace” policy also remains an important practice, which instructs beachgoers to collect all trash and belongings before leaving, and to fill all holes to prevent nesting sea turtles and hatchlings from falling or being hindered as they crawl on the beach.
“This year’s record-breaking numbers are a victory for sea turtle conservation,” said Dr. Justin Perrault, vice president of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. “With that in mind, it is important to remember that our work is not over, as new threats continue to present themselves to these animals.”
While this year has been a record-breaking nesting season, this summer’s exceptionally high heat temperatures have resulted in a decrease in the nests reproductive success. Reproductive success is measured by the number of healthy hatchlings in a nest that are able make it to the ocean. A single nesting season will not have a dramatic effect on the sea turtle population; however, the decrease in reproductive success presents new challenges to sea turtle conservationists. The Center’s research team will have more data on this year’s reproductive success by late November.
For more information on sea turtle nesting season, please visit marinelife.org.
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About Loggerhead Marinelife Center:
Loggerhead Marinelife Center, located in Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach, Fla., is a sea turtle research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation center. The Center also manages the Juno Beach Pier across the street from the park. Established in 1983, LMC seeks to promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. Its facilities include a sea turtle hospital, a research laboratory, and exhibit areas, including live sea turtles and other coastal creatures. For more information, visit marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.
