Sea Turtle Hatchling Season Begins on Anna Maria Island
Sea turtle hatchling season is officially underway on Anna Maria Island, with the first two nests hatching on July 3 and both sets of hatchlings making successful crawls to the Gulf.
According to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, the hatchlings emerged overnight and headed directly to the water without issues. The organization now shifts its focus to ensuring the safety of future hatchlings and educating the public on how to interact responsibly during this critical time of year.
Residents and beachgoers are reminded to never interfere with hatchlings unless they are clearly in danger or moving away from the water. Observers are urged to let the baby turtles crawl naturally toward the Gulf, which helps them build strength and orient themselves for the long swim ahead. If a hatchling is in distress, the Turtle Watch hotline—941-301-8434—is available 24/7 to dispatch a trained volunteer.
Officials warn against placing hatchlings directly in the water, as they are air-breathing reptiles that may struggle to swim if tired or injured.
With hatching season now in full swing, Turtle Watch is also conducting nest inventories. These assessments take place three days after a nest hatches and involve carefully digging up the nest to count hatched eggs and occasionally rescue any remaining straggler turtles.
Beachgoers who see volunteers performing nest inventories are welcome to stop by and ask questions. The process is not only important for conservation tracking, but also offers an opportunity to witness the miracle of sea turtle survival up close.
As the season continues through the summer months, residents are encouraged to minimize beach lighting at night, remove beach furniture, and fill in holes in the sand to give the hatchlings the best possible chance at survival.
