ENVIRONMENT

Turtle Tracks: Sea turtles nesting along St. Johns County beaches

From Staff Reports
St. Augustine Record - USA TODAY NETWORK
A leatherback hatchling heads out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Four types of sea turtles nest on county beaches: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempi). Here are the total sea turtle nests in St. Johns County according to St. Johns County Beaches as of May 20. 

'Tis the season:Prepare for sea turtle nesting season along St. Johns County beaches

North beaches

Loggerheads: 42

Greens: 0

Leatherbacks: 3

Kemp’s ridley: 0

Subtotal: 45

Anastasia Island

Loggerheads: 9

Greens: 0

Leatherbacks: 0

Kemp’s ridley: 0

Subtotal: 9

Matanzas Inlet South

Loggerheads: 2

Greens: 0

Leatherbacks: 2

Kemp’s ridley: 0

Subtotal: 4

Total: 58

Sea turtle fast facts

  • The annual pattern for sea turtle nests in St. Johns County is approximately 90% loggerhead nests and approximately 10% a combination of green, leatherbacks and a potential Kemp’s ridley.
  • The first year a confirmed Kemp’s ridley nest occurred was in 2015.

Tips for protecting sea turtles

  • Refrain from using fireworks and open fires.
  • Remove ruts and sandcastles.
  • Flashlights are strongly discouraged as they can harm sea turtles.
  • Avoid entering dunes and conservation zones (15 feet seaward of the dune line).
  • Refrain from releasing balloons or sky lanterns, as they can fall into the ocean and harm marine life (not to mention it's illegal in St. Johns County)
  • Never approach sea turtles emerging from or returning to the sea. Nesting sea turtles are vulnerable, timid and can be easily frightened.
  • Leave only your footprints at the beach.

Please report any marine animals in distress to the sheriff’s dispatch at 904-824-8304. For information, visit sjcfl.us/HCP/index.aspx.