In Clearwater, Florida, the number of sea turtle nests this year experienced a notable rise along a stretch of the Gulf Coast, despite many being destroyed by a series of hurricanes, as reported by officials from the local aquarium.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium documented a total of 271 sea turtle nests over a 21-mile section of beach monitored by their team during the nesting season, which is an increase from the 227 nests recorded in 2023.
According to the aquarium’s announcement, a significant portion of the active nests fell victim to Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. The nesting season for turtles typically spans from mid-April through the end of October along beaches situated south of Clearwater, whereas the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November.
This year also marked a significant milestone as the first documented leatherback turtle nest was found in Pinellas County. The aquarium’s patrol team witnessed the hatchlings from this leatherback nest making their way to the ocean.
Additionally, two nests of green turtles were recorded, while the majority of nests in the area belonged to loggerhead turtles, which are the most common species to nest on Florida’s beaches.
However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has yet to release the total number of nests recorded statewide for 2024. In contrast, the previous year saw a remarkable 133,840 loggerhead nests, setting a new state record that surpassed the previous high from 2016. Similarly, the 76,500 nests of green turtles documented in 2023 were significantly higher than the count established in 2017.
