Turtle nesting season reaches record numbers

As turtle nesting season winds to a close at the end of next month, preliminary results show a record number of green sea turtle nests and a tied combined record of green and loggerhead nests.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Patrol, which monitors nests from Longboat Key to Venice, has a preliminary count of 36 green sea turtle nests and 2,433 loggerhead nests. The previous record for green turtle nests was 30 in 2013. The 2,469 total nests will tie the 2012’s record.

“We’re really pleased that green sea turtles broke their local record this year and that loggerheads and the overall total might tie with their best year yet,” Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, said in a press release. “Nests numbers have been quite strong here during recent years, reflecting increases elsewhere in Florida.”

Nesting season began May 1 and will end Oct. 31. Until then, residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to keep beaches dark and clear of obstacles.