Sea Turtle Season 2023: A Washout!

Once again, mechanical dredging equipment were busy on Sand Dollar Island for a reclamation project and according to a press release from the City of Marco Island “to excavate the sand that over-washed into the lagoon. This emergency repair work needs to be completed quickly to recover the sand before more sand is lost with the incoming and outgoing tides. Postponing the work would result in greater costs and expand the scope of the repairs.”

From the aerial photos of the reclamation project taken around King Tide September 28th it looked like the project was more extensive than what was described on the City’s press release and for $47,528.00 from the City of Marco Island. Some residents are concerned a brush with a storm like Idalia, 150 miles offshore at its closest point, could we expect a different outcome because of the current work?  Will those “filled in areas” be stronger than the sand piles being replaced? Only time will tell.

According to a September 18th Guest Commentary by Councilor Dr. Blonna, among the reasons he supported the project and “continue to support a joint, ongoing effort, to prompt repair and continued restoration the beach, dunes, and lagoons are: “it temporarily (no proof of permanent loss) limited nesting areas for certain species of shorebirds, many of which have already returned; and it temporarily (no proof of permanent loss) disrupted sea turtle nesting activity.” 

It important to note that there is proof that wildlife was harmed by the reclamation project. On May 23rd, the City of Marco Island sent out an email which stated: “The bird habitat created at the north end of Sand Dollar Island has been well received with 300-400 pairs already utilizing this area.” Checking with FWC, they replied that they never had that many pairs reported for that site. On Tuesday, June 20th, there was NOT a single black skimmer in the nesting area – they abandoned their nesting site on Sand Dollar Island.

Many would consider this as “proof of permanent loss” for the 2023 nesting season. Dr. Blonna also added “many of which have already returned,” (referring to the black skimmers). You may continue to see a large group of black skimmers on our beaches for the Fall, but you will not see juveniles among that group. 

For the sea turtles, on May 15th, a night crew vehicle allegedly drove over twice, a marked potential sea turtle nest. Marco and FWC Law Enforcement were on the scene to assess the damage and the city suspended night operation. On that same morning, there was a dead sea turtle floating near the auxiliary pumping station and sea turtle monitors indicated that this is the third sea turtle carcass reported to FWC in relation to the project.

The 2023 Sea Turtle season also recorded false crawls on Sand Dollar Island at a record high during and after the first reclamation project in addition to 60% of hatched nests disoriented. Most of the disoriented hatchlings were never recovered and assumed never made it to the ocean and therefore considered “proof of permanent loss.” For dead disoriented hatchlings that are recovered and reported, Florida statute would use the term “irreparable and irreversible” harm.

According to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) few survive to adulthood, with estimates ranging from one in 1,000 to one in 10,000.