Texans Urged to Be on the Lookout for Sea Turtles This Spring Break

Spring Break is right around the corner and that means nesting season for the Ridley's sea turtle is, too. Members of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP) are urging beach goers to be on the look out for sea turtle nests, females laying eggs, and/or hatchlings.

During the nesting season, which runs from April through June, the female sea turtles will make their way to the shore and dig a nest in the dunes or soft sand. This is done during the daylight hours. Once the female has laid her eggs, she returns to the water, and leaves the nest - and eventually the hatchlings - to fend for themselves.

The number of sea turtle nests and surviving hatchlings on the Texas coast have exponentially increased over the past few years. While their primary nesting site is in South Texas in the Padre Island area, turtle watchers have noticed a more northerly trend over the past few years. A total of 195 sea turtle nests were documented along the Texas coast in 2008. The majority of these - 133 - were found on Padre Island, but some were found as far north as Bolivar Peninsula.

There are five species of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and all of them are classified as endangered. They are the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Atlantic Hawksbill Sea Turtle, and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. The reason that they are listed as endangered species is because of the dangers they face in the wild. Light pollution, water pollution, fishing, offshore drilling, beach development, and people all post threats to the livelihood of the sea turtles.

Females may nest two or three times during the season. Incubation times for the eggs is 50-60 days. The hatchlings will spend their first hours digging their way to the surface of the sand from the buried nest. They are born well-equipped for the journey. If the sand becomes hot, the hatchlings know to stop digging because it's daylight and daylight is dangerous. One reason is because it makes them easy prey for predators such as birds. The other is because the heat will dry out their skin, which may kill them. Once the sun sets and the turtles feel the sand has cooled, they continue their journey to the top of the nest and eventually into the water. They will follow the brightest light they see, which is usually the moon. Sometimes, it's the headlights of a car driving along the beach. Even though the hatchlings are born with built in survival mechanisms, it's estimated that only one in 1,000 will make it to adulthood. This is why conservationists harvest the eggs from the nests they find so that they can hatch the turtles in captivity. Once they are older, they are fitted with a tracking device and released into the wild.

This year conservationists are especially concerned for the turtles because they aren't sure which, if any, effects the landfall of Hurricane Ike along the upper Texas coast will have on the turtles' return. Debris left from the hurricane will make navigating the shoreline treacherous for the turtles and in many areas of the coast, the beach, dunes, and sand have been washed away completely. Sea turtles generally come back to nest in the same area where they hatched from, staying within a five to thirty-five mile range.

The state of Texas implements patrols by trained turtle rescuers in areas known to be sea turtle nesting sites during the peak times, but help from the public is also needed. Vigilance and education are key to ensuring the survival of the sea turtle and there is a strict protocol to follow if you stumble upon a nest or nesting female sea turtle.

Immediately call the sea turtle reporting number so that trained personnel can be dispatched to retrieve the eggs. The number is 1-866-TURTLE5.

Guard the nest as best you can to keep other people away from it so that it is not disturbed before the trained rescuers arrive.

If you encounter a female turtle, do not approach her, as it might scare her back into the water. Pay close attention to where she lays her eggs or where she came from - marking the site, if possible - so that rescuers can locate the nest.

Do not remove the eggs, hatchlings, or female turtles from their natural habitat. Not only is turtle-napping bad for the turtles - it's also illegal. All species of sea turtles in the US are protected under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. A violation of this act may result in a $100,000 fine and one year in jail.

Sources:
Beaumont Enterprise - Turtle Experts Look To Nesting Season
The STRP
National Parks Service - 2008 Sea Turtle Nesting Season