Turtle nesting season begins this week

’Tis the season: Turtle-nesting season, that is.

From May 1 through Oct. 31, it’s lights out for the sea turtles along local beaches.

Bright lights disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings, ultimately preventing the tiniest turtles from making their way into the sea to start the incredible journey that can span oceans.

Beginning May 1, properties along the Gulf should turn off or shield lights visible from the beach, including flash lights and fishing lights. Avoid flash photography, pick up your trash, and remove furniture and cabanas when you leave the beach.

Mote Marine Laboratory reported a strong season for loggerhead turtles last year, with 2,240 nests in its 35-mile patrol area last year, just behind the previous year’s 2,462 nests — a record in Mote’s 31 years of patrolling local beaches.

For information, visit mote.org.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].