Clearwater Marine Aquarium Launches Sea Turtle Nesting Season Patrol

Plus 10 sea turtle nesting season tips that can help save the species

CLEARWATER, FL (April 28, 2025) — Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) has officially kicked off its sea turtle nesting patrol two weeks earlier than in previous decades.

The nesting season continues through Oct. 31—a vital period for endangered and threatened sea turtle species returning to their natal beaches to lay eggs.

This change also follows a 30-year nesting trend analysis, in which CMA biologists contributed data revealing that sea turtles are nesting significantly earlier in the year. CMA’s dedicated team monitors a 21-mile stretch of Pinellas County beaches, with 271 nests recorded in 2024, up from 227 in 2023.

Primary nesting species in the region include loggerheads, with occasional appearances by leatherbacks, green sea turtles, Kemp’s ridleys, and hawksbills. All five species are listed as threatened or endangered.

“We want to remind everyone—locals, tourists, and new residents—that nesting season has begun,” said Carly Oakley, CMA’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program Manager. “Please be mindful and respectful when enjoying the beach during this special time.”

Oakley and her trained team—including staff, volunteers, and interns—patrol daily at sunrise to identify turtle tracks, locate nests, and report data to the FWC and Pinellas County. They track nest counts, false crawls, disorientations, obstructions, predation, and vandalism.

How You Can Help:

Top 10 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Tips

Pick up all trash, especially plastic bags that turtles mistake for jellyfish.
Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles after your beach visit.
Keep a respectful distance from nesting turtles or hatchlings—never touch or disturb them.
Call CMA’s Emergency Hotline at 727-441-1790 ext. 1 if you see a turtle in distress.
Do not interact with or shine lights on turtle nests.
Avoid flashlights or phone lights on the beach at night.
Residents and businesses: Use sea turtle-friendly lighting.
Install protective window treatments to block indoor light from reaching the beach.
Call FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922 to report injured turtles.
Educate others—awareness is key to conservation.

Sea Turtle-Friendly Lighting Initiative

“Artificial lighting remains one of the greatest threats to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings,” Oakley added. CMA actively works with local agencies and property owners to promote turtle-safe lighting and reduce disorientations.

Protect the Nest Program

Through CMA’s Protect the Nest initiative, supporters can virtually adopt a nest by purchasing a personalized wooden plaque placed at an active nest site. Plaques are returned at the season’s end. Learn more at protectnest.org.

Ride-Along Experience

New this season, CMA offers a Ride-Along Program, giving participants the rare chance to accompany biologists during their early-morning patrols. It’s a hands-on way to witness conservation in action.

For more information on CMA’s sea turtle conservation efforts, visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Program page.

All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-25/26-263 and MTP-25/26-013.

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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.

A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization