Early Patrols Begin on Anna Maria Island Ahead of Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will begin daily beach patrols this Tuesday, kicking off preparations for the 2025 sea turtle nesting season, which officially starts May 1. The early start comes after several seasons of turtles laying eggs ahead of schedule in April.
In 2024, the island recorded a record-breaking 685 loggerhead sea turtle nests. Despite the impact of hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton—which destroyed many nests and severely damaged protective dunes—284 nests successfully hatched, yielding 20,633 hatchlings.
With much of the island's vegetation and dune systems still recovering, concerns about artificial lighting have grown. Without natural barriers, nesting turtles and hatchlings may become disoriented and head toward roadways or buildings instead of the Gulf. Volunteers and wildlife experts will monitor for early activity and work to guide turtles safely back to the water.
To aid in this effort, residents and businesses are being asked to switch to turtle-friendly lighting, including red or amber bulbs, and to install shields or turn off unnecessary lights at night.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch will also host its annual nesting season kickoff party on May 1 from 3 to 6 p.m., where free turtle-safe light bulbs will be available. Local businesses can request free outreach materials to help educate guests on sea turtle and shorebird protection.
Sea turtles and shorebirds are protected under the Endangered Species Act and state and local regulations. Anyone encountering a sea turtle in distress is urged to call Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife hotline at 888-404-3922.
