Keeping sea turtles safe as nesting season will soon begin

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Sea turtles
Sea turtles nesting. (Credit: WINK News)

Pretty soon, you will see hundreds of baby turtles moving towards the beach shore.

Sea turtle nesting season has already begun and a nest was just discovered in Collier County. Now that turtles are coming ashore, there are things you need to do to protect them.

Sea turtle nesting season has started a little early in Southwest Florida. When the sun goes down, it is lights out on the beach.

From May to October, female sea turtles make their way to the coast to lay their eggs. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking neighbors and visitors to minimize their use of artificial light on the beach to avoid jeopardizing the already endangered species.

Not only is it dangerous for the mothers, but it can also be hazardous for the hatchlings who are guided by moonlight and too much light can confuse them.

The FWC asks people if they need to use light, use long wavelength LED lights that cannot be visible from the beach. Also, remove all beach furniture and toys left in the sand. Lastly, it is crucial you keep your distance from turtles so they can make their way back to the water safely.

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