VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — March 1 kicks off the sea turtle nesting season. In the past, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) used to ask people to keep their headlights off during nesting season, now it’s cell phones.
FWC said the flash from cellphones is a bad mix for sea turtles digging their nests at night to lay eggs. Officials said any light at night poses a threat to the threatened and endangered species. FWC said the light could frighten or disorient the sea turtles.
Sea turtle nesting lasts through October.
FWC said a record number of turtle nests were documented in 2015.
FWC suggests people remain at a distance from nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
- Remove chairs, canopies, boats and other items from the beach at night, because they block the movement of turtles and hatchlings.
- Turn off or shield lights along the beach, in order to prevent nesting females or hatchlings from getting confused and going toward lights on land instead of the salt water, where they belong.
- Avoid using lights on the beach at night. If you must have light, use a red LED flashlight, adjust cell phone screens to dark mode and don't take flash photos.
- Fill in holes in the sand at the end of the day, so nesting sea turtles and hatchlings don't fall in and get stuck there at night.
- Correctly dispose of fishing line, so it won't entangle sea turtles and other animals.
Remember it is illegal to harm, harass or take sea turtles, their eggs and hatchlings, including getting too close to a nesting female.