All of the world’s sea turtles are designated as either endangered or threatened and are protected by state, federal, and international laws. Sea turtles spend most of their life in the ocean. Only female sea turtles will emerge from the water and crawl up onto sandy beaches to lay eggs between May through October every year. Nesting sea turtles on Volusia County beaches include 3 different species which are Loggerheads, Green Turtles, and Leatherbacks. These turtles emerge from the surf at night and crawl up the beach towards the dunes to dig a deep hole in the dry sand to lay their eggs. One nest on average contains 100 eggs! The eggs are then covered with sand and the adult turtle returns to the sea. Approximately two months later, hatchlings (baby turtles), emerge from these nests and crawl to the ocean on their own. One female will lay 3-5 nests each nesting season. This amazing life cycle has occurred for thousands of years and by protecting sea turtles during this important part of their life, people will continue to observe these magnificent creatures visiting the beaches each summer.

Unfortunately, many factors threaten sea turtles both during their nesting cycle and while in the water. On developed beaches everywhere, females attempting to lay their eggs encounter human made obstacles such as brightly lit beaches and hard structures like seawalls and walkovers. Beach equipment left out at night and even curious people getting too close can also deter a turtle from nesting at any given location. Sea turtles have also been killed by falling into deep holes left on the beach by beachgoers and by becoming disoriented by lights while out of the water, where they find their way onto streets, on private property and even into swimming pools! In the water, commercial fishing fleets often inadvertently catch sea turtles which often results in either killing or injuring them. Water pollution and marine debris also threatens their habitat. All too frequently, sea turtles and other marine life mistake floating plastic garbage for food. Once ingested, they feel full and may decline eating and starve to death or if they continue to eat plastics, their digestive organs become impacted with trash which they cannot digest.  You can help by eating seafood sold by companies which use sea turtle protection gear and follow environmentally responsible fishing practices and by disposing of your trash properly.