How can you help protect sea turtles?

adoption 2005 mom

During the season (May–October) you can help in the following ways:

  • Turn off or shield lights that face the beach. Light can disorient turtles. Please—no fires, no flash photos.
  • If you must walk on the beach at night, avoid making noise, avoid smoking and use a flashlight with a red filter on it.
  • If you see a turtle on the beach do not approach it. Move slowly and keep quiet; let her finish laying her eggs and return to the sea.
  • Keep your pets indoors at night and keep an eye on them during the day. Dogs can scare turtles off the beach, destroy nests, and eat hatchlings.
  • Avoid beach parties at night during nesting season.
  • Nests will be marked. Please do not disturb!
  • Bring your chairs, toys, and sport equipment off the beach at night.
  • Report your nesting or hatching observations to CEA; note time and place.
  • Please remember that handling sea turtles without the proper authorization is a federal offense.
  • Do not consume any turtle products.
  • Avoid harassing the turtles in the bays or reefs—regardless of the season.


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