Escambia County Celebrates First Sea Turtle Hatch on Pensacola Beach

Escambia County Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers recently recorded a sea turtle hatch on Pensacola Beach, marking the first hatch of the season. The nest was laid on a dune and saw an 89% hatch success rate, producing 123 hatchlings that all successfully crawled into the Gulf to travel south.

Hatchlings use the reflected light of the moon and stars off the water to orient themselves toward the Gulf, but even the dimmest of artificial lights can outshine these natural sources. Approximately 60% of all hatchlings on county beaches will be disoriented by artificial lights, making them easy targets for predators. Hatchlings that don’t reach the water quickly are also at higher risk of starvation, dehydration, and death. 

Tropical Storm Bertha passed through the Gulf in July, flooding several sea turtle nests. While the storm slowed down incubation times and likely resulted in a loss of eggs, this nest was laid on a dune ridge that protected the nest from any overwash. Escambia County Marine Resources staff will continue to observe other nests for hatching, but lower hatch rates and later hatch dates are expected due to the washover from Tropical Storm Bertha.

Every hatchling counts! Help protect nesting sea turtles and other coastal wildlife by remembering:

• Lights Out! Both hatchlings and nesting turtles need dark beaches to find the Gulf. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark. Learn more about wildlife-friendly lighting here.
• Leave Only Footprints! Keep our beaches flat and clean for turtles by removing all personal belongings at the end of each day, flattening sandcastles and filling in holes. View Escambia County's "Leave No Trace" ordinance here.
• Stow it, Don’t Throw it! Trash and food waste can entangle turtles and other wildlife and attract unwanted predators. Always dispose of trash in the proper receptable and refrain from feeding wildlife. 

If you see a nest hatching or encounter turtle hatchlings on the beach, stay a respectful distance away and call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-281-5904.

For more information about sea turtles in Escambia County, visit MyEscambia.com/seaturtles. All sea turtle work performed by Escambia County was completed under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permits #032A, #202, #272, and #273.