Three loggerhead hatches this week: Boca Grande Sea Turtle Assoc.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
As of August 31, the BGSTA turtle patrollers have officially phased out of monitoring the entire length of each of our zones and will now only focus on the remaining incubating nests. This change in our monitoring protocol occurs when no new nests or false crawls have been documented for a significant period of time, signaling the end to the crawl phase of the nesting season. So, while you might still spot some of our volunteers on the beach at dawn, we will only be spot checking existing nests. As all the nests in a particular zone either hatch or reach 70 days of incubation, that zone will be “closed out” and no further turtle patrol monitoring will occur there this season.
In fact, as of September 1, we have closed out our two northernmost zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2. Traditionally, these are our two least active nesting zones, and this season was no exception. Zone 1 saw 19 loggerhead and one green turtle nest, while Zone 2 had 35 loggerhead nests. These 55 nests represent about nine percent of the nests in all BGSTA zones.
BGSTA work continues in the remaining zones, in accordance with FWC Marine Turtle Permit #24-123. Volunteer Tracy Thompson recently performed an inventory on one of the green turtle nests (also part of the Adopt-a-Nest program) that had been washed over with surf during Tropical Storm Debby, resulting in more than six inches of additional sand being deposited on the nest. Unfortunately, she found that none of the 109 eggs had hatched. While this is disappointing, she was able to gather valuable data for evaluation by FWC. On a brighter note, three loggerhead nests did hatch this past week!
The “completion countdown” for the incubating nests in the six remaining zones currently stands at 30 loggerhead and four green turtle nests. Look for weekly updates on their progress.
A reminder
• If you see a hatchling or an adult sea turtle on the beach that seems to be struggling (e.g., is lethargic, keeps crawling in circles, has an injury, etc.) or a hatchling that is heading away from the water, make sure it is not in any immediate danger (like crawling across a busy street) and then immediately contact the BGSTA or FWC.
The contact information is as follows:
• BGSTA – (941) 999-7177
• FWC – (888) 404-FWCC or *FWC from your cell phone
At Florida State Parks:
Gasparilla: 42 loggerhead
Cayo Costa: 561 loggerhead, 1 green turtle
Don Pedro: 199 loggerhead, 28 green turtles
Stump Pass: 273 loggerhead, 1 green
