West Villages Improvement District: Leatherback turtles, rare for Gulf Coast, nest in Venice and Siesta Key

www.FloridaWeekly.com
| May 16, 2019

SHUTTERSTOCK Adult leatherback turtles can grow to over 7 feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

Two leatherback turtle nests have been documented by Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program on local beaches in Venice and Siesta Key. Leatherback sea turtles rarely nest on Gulf of Mexico beaches. The only leatherback nest documented by Mote Marine Laboratory in this area was in 2001.

About leatherback sea turtles

Leatherback sea turtles are the largest of all sea turtle species. Leatherbacks are more deep-diving and migratory than other species of sea turtles, and the vast majority of leatherback nesting occurs on the east coast of Florida. Leatherback sea turtles are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, listed on the United States Endangered Species Act and listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Learn more about leatherback sea turtles at MyFWC.com.

For the 38th year, Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program is monitoring 35 miles of beach for sea turtle nesting activity, from Longboat Key to Venice. In its history, the program has protected 2,546,586 sea turtle hatchlings, documented 98,317 turtle crawls, and tagged 6,649 turtles. People may follow along with sea turtle nesting numbers at mote.org/2019nesting.

Turtle tips

On the shore

Do:

¦ If you encounter a nesting turtle or hatchlings, remain quiet and observe from a distance.

¦ Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October.

¦ Close drapes after dark and put beach furniture far back from the water.

¦ Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water.

¦ Pick up litter on the beach.

¦ Turn off beachside lights at night.

¦ Bring in beach furniture at night.

Do not:

¦ Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles

¦ Use flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach.

¦ Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water.

¦ Use fireworks on the beach.

On the water

¦ Follow Coast Guard-approved safe boating guidelines and use vigilance to avoid striking sea turtles and other large marine life.

¦ Be sure to stow trash and line when under way. Marine debris that accidentally blows overboard or out of a truck can become ingested by or entangled around marine life.

¦ Wear polarized sunglasses to better see marine life in your path.

During nesting season, it is important to keep local waters and beaches sea turtle friendly. Sea turtles are swimming just offshore to mate before the females come ashore to nest, juvenile turtles are feeding along the Gulf Coast, and by early summer the first hatchlings will venture into gulf waters. On the nesting beaches, light from waterfront properties can disorient nesting female turtles and their young, which emerge at night and use dim natural light to find the sea. Also, beach furniture, trash and other obstacles can impede sea turtles and their young. Mote encourages coastal residents and visitors to follow the turtle-friendly tips below during nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31.

Emergency Contacts

If you see a sick, injured or stranded sea turtle in Sarasota or Manatee county waters, contact Mote Marine Laboratory’s stranding investigations program at 941-988-0212. Outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-FWCC.

If you suspect that someone is tampering with a sea turtle nest, harassing a sea turtle or has possession of a sea turtle or any of its parts, call FWC, the local sheriff’s department and/or call Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331.

If you find sea turtle hatchlings that are not on the beach or are headed away from the ocean, call Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program for instructions. Put rescued hatchlings into a bucket with a layer of damp sand and cover the bucket with a towel. Do not put hatchlings in water or take them into air conditioning. Hatchlings heading toward the ocean should be left alone. Sea turtles are protected under federal law and any harassment or interference with a sea turtle, living or dead, is subject to penalty. ¦

Above: Leatherback turtle nest, Venice. MOTE MARINE LABORATORY / COURTESY PHOTOS

Above: This leatherback turtle track in Venice was documented on April 30. Mote intern Sarah Klass lies across the track (Ms. Klass is 5 feet tall), staff member Kathy Klingensmith is in the sand, and volunteer Lucy Litton is standing. MOTE MARINE LABORATORY / COURTESY PHOTOS

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate