Share the beaches with turtles

A reminder to those hitting the beach this Memorial Day weekend: The beaches belong to the turtles, too. Nesting season began May 1, so remove beach furniture at night, pick up trash, turn off or shield beachfront lighting, fill in holes and keep flashlights off the beach to help turtles have a successful nesting season.

If you notice problems with sea turtle nests, eggs, hatchlings or adult nesting turtles, call Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 388-4331.

If you encounter sick, injured or dead sea turtles or marine mammals, call Mote’s Stranding Investigations at 388-0212.

If you witness nest vandalism or sea turtle harassment, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922.