NSTSTF How You Can Help

Sea turtles once roamed the oceans by the millions, but over the past few centuries the demand for sea turtle meat, eggs, shell, leather and oil has greatly reduced their numbers. Populations continue to decline as habitat is lost and the trade in sea turtle products continues.

Every year, thousands of sea turtles drown in shrimp trawls and other fishing gear and others die from pollutants or from swallowing trash mistaken for food. Many hatchling sea turtles are disoriented by bright lights near beaches and wander away from the ocean to be crushed by cars or stranded. Concern for the plight of sea turtles is growing and people around the world are working to protect them on nesting beaches and at sea.

It is possible for man and turtles to coexist, but it requires commitment and effort on our part. Hopefully, future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy these magnificent creatures.

Never approach turtles emerging from the sea or disturb or harass nesting turtles by making noise, shining lights or trying to ride them. Watch nesting turtles by joining one of the many permitted turtle walks conducted by experienced guides.

Watch our for disoriented hatchlings or turtles wandering on the road. If you find an injured or dead turtle in Florida, call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the Florida Marine Patrol at 1-800-DIAL FMP.

When you register your boat, you can purchase a sea turtle sticker to support the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Conservation Program. Be careful while boating to avoid collisions with turtles and never throw trash in the water or on the beach.

Keep beachfront lighting turned off or minimized during the nesting and hatching season. In Florida, the season extends from March 1st - October 31st. Reduce light reaching the nesting beach by lowering, shielding, recessing and/or redirecting the light source. Place security lighting on motion-sensitive switches that keep lighting off when not needed. Lights that come on only when approached can be quite effective.

Apply dark window tinting to windows visible from the beach and draw curtains after dark.
Since light in certain wavelengths does not affect hatching and nesting sea turtles as much as other types of light, use safer types to protect sea turtles. For example, a pure yellow light (from a low-pressure sodium vapor) is not attractive to sea turtles. Yellow incandescent light bulbs are preferred (at low wattage).

Never buy products made from sea turtles or any other endangered species.

Become informed about environmental issues and spread the word to others. Support conservation groups that are active in sea turtle issues such as the Center for Marine Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. Let your elected officials know that sea turtle conservation is important to you.