ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers discovered that multiple sea turtle nests were disturbed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
“I don’t think it was anything malicious,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said. “We have had disturbances to nests before, but this weekend was exceptional. I think this was people not realizing and not giving the nests space. I want to make people aware that they need to respect posted nest areas.”
Mazzarella said that issues during the holiday included people walking across nests, knocking over stakes, tearing marker tape, digging in the sand close to nests and planting tents in nesting areas.
Turtle nests on local beaches are clearly marked with yellow numbered stakes and pink caution tape.
“We recommend that people keep their distance from nests, report anyone that is observed disturbing a nest to local law enforcement, and also call 941-301-8434 to report a nest that has not been marked,” Turtle Watch posted on their Facebook page.
Turtle nesting season runs from May through October.
Marine turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act.
“Florida Statutes restrict the take, possession, disturbance, mutilation, destruction, selling, transference, molestation and harassment of marine turtles, nests or eggs,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
