The beaches of Anna Maria Island were packed with the usual throng of beachgoers for Memorial Day weekend.
But this year, something was different.
“When we walked the beach the morning after Memorial Day, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there was significantly less litter and items like broken tents left behind on the beach than in previous years,” said Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox.
Plastic bags, six-pack rings and broken beach chairs — all are items that can be potential hazards for nesting turtles and shorebirds, according to Fox.
Another hazard for turtles during nesting season are lights shining on the shoreline from beachfront homes and condos.
Sea turtles use the reflection from the moon and stars on the surface of the Gulf to find their way back to the water. Beachfront lights that are not compliant with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-approved lighting can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings, impeding their progress to the sea.
Recently, a display was installed at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, to demonstrate the importance of turtle-safe lights and what needs to be installed. The kiosk is on loan for a year from the Sea Turtle Conservancy, a Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of the marine animals.
“We’ve had people coming from Longboat Key and surrounding areas come check it out,” said Fox.
The turtle nesting season, which runs May 1-Oct. 31, is in full swing, with 68 nests laid as of June 5, making it imperative that property owners install FWC-compliant lighting.
While the situation has improved, Fox said there still are some offending lights.
Bradenton Beach, the municipality of greatest concern for its high concentration of beachfront residences, sent out 57 letters to beachfront properties reminding people to check their lighting, Fox said.
In addition to lighting, trash and unattended beach items, such as chairs and canopies, can be a danger to shorebirds, as well as turtles. They can mistakenly consume the trash and the turtles can become entangled in beach furniture, said Fox.
AMITW volunteers are on the beach every morning while tending to their nesting duties in season, watching and ensuring any turtle impeding objects are out of the way.
Fox believes community outreach and wildlife education has improved over the years.
“I think things are getting better. Yes, there are more people, but they seem to be getting it,” said Fox.
She said residents can contact her to review their lighting fixtures at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.
