Leatherback Turtle in Sowal

[Mango]

Cool.

Never seen a leatherback, but have seen many hairybacks on the beach.

 

[greenroomsurfer]

Hope they don't get stuck in one of those Seaside turtle traps!

 

[BeachSiO2]

Awesome! I would love to see one of them. I edited out the location, perhaps I am overprotective, even so...

That's fine but they also have a website... http://www.seaturtlewatch.com/index.htm

Just remember, LEAVE THE NESTS ALONE!!!!

 

[scooterbug44]

Do you WANT people disturbing the nest? Why do you keep posting info on how to find it? Yes, the info exists, but make them work for it!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I think it is nice to see the link and read about the turtle nests, as well as see photos of the nests and tracks. Seeing the photos may keep people from getting out there on their own just to see what it looks like.

 

[Jdarg]

Do you WANT people disturbing the nest? Why do you keep posting info on how to find it? Yes, the info exists, but make them work for it!

I really doubt that the people who follow a link from this message board will go bother a turtle nest.

It is the ones who are at the beach this morning, with their "condo tents" and trash-on-the-beach mentality that we need to worry about, as in "Hey Kids- go stand on that thur turtle nest and let me take a picture!!", which is then followed by the dad showing the kids how to crunch a beer can on his forehead and throw it in the water.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I believe that disturbing an endangered species is a felony, so be very careful of where you set your beach crap. You could end up in jail for killing an Endangered Leatherback Turtle. I wonder if the same could be said if the turtle tried to go toward the bright lights at a Tom Thumb, once leaving the nest, and ended up dying because of it.

If you go to a turtle nest, all you will be able to see is sand, and caution tape. Nothing to see, keep it moving.

 

[scooterbug44]

I'm a bit overprotective when it comes to the turtles.

I don't worry about the regular posters, but I've pretty much given up on people's ability to figure out appropriate behavior and there are lots of lurkers!

 

[Smiling JOe]

FYI - "Sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act and only those with special permits are allowed to touch the nests, turtles, or hatchlings. There is a $2,500.00 reward for information leading to the conviction of violators. To report a violation, contact a State, Federal, or local law enforcement officer."

Please teach your kids that Sea Turtles (and animals in general) are not toys.

 

[Christian]

Yes, even though we all occasionally see turtles while out on the water, all species are all still way down in numbers and all are threatened with extinction. This leatherback nest is a bright spot in an otherwise dismal turtle season thus far in Walton County. We all celebrated around the nest yesterday morning!

This is only the 12th nest of the year, which is way down from historic numbers. That's really the bigger story of the season so far. The turtles are being hit from every direction--killed by longlining and trawls at sea, collisions by boats, dredging, coastal pollution, poaching outside the U.S., and if a mother defies the odds and comes ashore to nest she might find too many people, too much light, and beaches squeezed by risky waterfront development.

Here's a look at recent years for Walton County, where sea turtle nesting is on a downward trend. The key stat is the one at the far right--nests per mile, which has dropped below one:


Table 3.2

Marine Turtle Nesting Occurrences for Walton County

Year Observed Beach Length (miles) Loggerhead Green Leatherback Nests/Mile
WALTON COUNTY
1997 29.1 67 0 0 2.3
1998 29.1 46 4 0 1.7
1999 29.1 72 0 0 2.5
2000 29.1 72 5 0 2.6
2001 29.1 36 0 0 1.2
2002 29.1 40 4 0 1.5
2003 29.3 44 4 0 1.6
2004 29.3 25 5 0 1
2005 29.5 27 0 0 0.9
2006 29.5 24 5 0 0.8
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission​

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