Sea Turtle Nesting Breaks Records

SARASOTA, FL - Sea turtle lovers eager to see local populations rise have reason to celebrate.

Mote Marine Laboratory has reported that 2015 was a record-breaking season for turtle nests on beaches it monitors from Longboat Key to Venice. The laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program coordinates conservation of endangered turtles along 35 miles of coastline in the Sarasota County area. The program has been running strong for 34 years.

“Following a thorough review of data once sea turtle nesting season officially concluded on Oct. 31, Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol — a group of scientists, interns and volunteers who have monitored nesting beaches for 34 years — report that a confirmed total number of nests along Longboat Key through Venice reached 2,475 nests in 2015, which beats the 2012 record by 6 nests,” the laboratory announced in an email to media.

The breakdown of nests is as follows:

• Longboat Key, Manatee County – 340, which beat the 2013 record of 327 nests
• All of Longboat Key – 698 nests, beating the 2013 record of 643
• Siesta Key – 408 nests, beating the 1995 record of 343 nests

A total of 36 green sea turtle nests were also laid along the 35-mile monitored stretch. This broke the 2013 record of 30.

“This year was such an incredibly successful year for sea turtle nesting numbers, which is great to see as these animals are endangered,” Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, was quoted in the email as saying. “As we start to see nesting numbers increase, we know communicating the urgency of conservation efforts for future generations is vital now more than ever before. It’s exciting to consider how our local research, conservation and education efforts here at Mote may be helping with this positive change.”

Residents can help do their part to promote sea turtle conservation and research. Mote is seeking donations of cash and supplies to support its Sea Turtle Patrol in 2016. Donations may be made online by visiting www.mote.org/donate. Once there, click “Donations” and choose to donate to Mote’s operating fund. During the checkout donors should enter “Sea Turtle Conservation and Research” in the box marked “donor notes.”

Donors who prefer to offer supplies are asked to contact Kathy Klingensmith at 941-388-4441, Ext. 308. She can be reached by email at kak@mote.org.

Needed supplies include:

• 100-foot large measuring tapes with non-metal blades
• Black Sharpies or permanent markers
• Paint roller covers, 9-inch and 4-inch
• Flagging tape
• Medium size latex gloves
• Rubber mallets
• Digital cameras
• All-terrain vehicle covers
• 5-gallon yellow paint can
• Large tarps
• WD-40
• AAA and AA batteries
• Waterproof field notebooks
• Red LED headlamps
• Wire cutters

To find out more about Mote, visit it online.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission