The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reported Friday that while sea turtle nests increased along a 21-mile stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, a series of hurricanes devastated many of them. This year, aquarium teams documented 271 nests—an increase from last year’s 227—though many were ultimately washed out by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Sea turtle nesting season typically runs from mid-April to October in areas south of Clearwater, overlapping with hurricane season from June to November.
This season marked a notable first for Pinellas County: a documented leatherback turtle nest. Aquarium patrol teams had the rare opportunity to witness leatherback hatchlings make their way to the ocean. Additionally, two green turtle nests were recorded, though loggerhead turtles remain the most common species nesting in the region.
Statewide numbers for 2024 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are still pending, but last year saw record-breaking counts: 133,840 loggerhead nests and 76,500 green turtle nests, surpassing previous state records.
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