The 2022 Sea Turtle Nesting Season starts on May 1st and runs through October 31st from 9pm to 7am. Below are some guidelines you should follow to make sure this nesting season is a safe one for our marine wildlife.
Guidelines for 2022 Sea Turtle Nesting Season
• Shut off or shield lights that are visible from the beach. Close drapes or blinds after dark. Use 25 watt yellow-bug lights where exterior lighting is necessary. Avoid using flashlights or fishing lanterns on the beach. Fires are not permitted. The City of Bonita Springs has a Sea Turtle Conservation Code which is enforced. For information regarding lighting, or to report a lighting violation, please call Bonita Springs Community Development Environmental Sciences Section (239) 444-6142.
• Remove beach litter. Balloons, plastic bags, foam and other non-degradable pollutants cause the deaths of many sea turtles who mistake them for food.
• Quietly observe a nesting turtle from a distance. Do not shine any lights on or around her — she may abandon her effort to nest. No flash photography. Stay behind the turtle so that she cannot see you.
• Do not harass a turtle by touching her or prodding her to move. Stay out of the way as she crawls back to the water.
• Move beach furniture behind the dune or vegetated area.
• Keep pets on a leash, away from sea turtles and their nests.
• Leave sea turtle nest identification markers in place on the beach.
Fill in holes and remove large sand castles which can trap or disorient sea turtles.
• Leave nest sites undisturbed. If you find a hatchling wandering in daylight, place it on moist sand in a dry container, shade it and call Turtle Time, Inc. immediately: (239)-481-5566.
To report dead or injured sea turtles, or, if you have accidentally hooked a sea turtle that is small enough to rescue, contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1-888-404-FWCC, or call Turtle Time, Inc. (239)-481-5566 immediately.