It is mid-August and unfortunately, Marco is again tracking with the most recorded disoriented nests in Collier County. Here are some ways we can help protect the sea turtles and their hatchlings this season.

Keep the beaches clean: Let’s make sure you grab all your beach gear, umbrellas, chairs, and your trash while leaving the beach. Plastic bags left on the beach can be a deadly trap to hatchlings heading out to sea; and while in the open ocean, the plastic bags look like jelly fish – a favorite food for sea turtles.

Fill in holes in the sand: If you have dug holes or made sand castles, please be sure to fill the holes and flatten the sand castles before leaving. The hatchlings are very tiny, and they can fall into a hole and sand castles can further disorient a hatchling as they attempt to get to open water. 

No flashlights or flash photography: While walking on the beach at night, please be sure to use sea turtle friendly flashlights instead of bright flashlights and refrain from using the flash from your camera. These bright flashes can be distracting to hatchlings and to a mom sea turtle. Sea Turtles use the moon to guide them back to the water, so bright lights often disorient them.

June Beach Activity/Events as reported by Marco Island Police Department to City Council:

Pick-Up Debris and Litter:  139

Warnings Issues:  56

Glass on the Beach Enforcement: 27

Citations Issued: 20

Fill in Holes in Sand: 34

Dogs on the Beach Enforcement: 15

Code Violations:  18

Turtle Lighting Notice of Violations Issued:  10

Bike/Scooter Enforcement:  10

Turtle Nest Check/Fence Repair: 24

Injured/Sick Animal: 3

Animal Complaint: 2

Drone Complaints: 1

Shorebird Flushing Enforcement: 4