Hatchlings Emerged From Marco’s First Sea Turtle Nest

Attachments

Sea Turtle Report 7/4/23 - 7/10-23

Turtle Nest Number One, located in the South Beach area, hatched but was “massively disoriented” due to artificial lighting from nearby condos. According to Tyler Beck, a sea turtle monitor, they were able to get all of the hatchlings safely to the water. According to FWC, disorientation occurs from artificial lighting causing thousands of hatchling deaths each year in Florida and is a significant marine turtle conservation problem.  The apparent brightness and glare of artificial lighting is what often leads hatchlings astray as they move toward the artificial light no matter where it is relative to the sea.