Fred’s impact an unknown
Sea turtle nests stretching from Cortez Beach to Bean Point were impacted by rising tides and high surf from Tropical Storm Fred.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox told The Islander Aug. 16 that the volunteer group would not know the full impact of the storm that passed in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 15-16 on nesting until they excavate many of the nests after a two-month incubation period.
A sea turtle egg can survive at least four hours underwater but the survival rate decreases as the embryo grows, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s research institute.
With the uncertainty about unhatched nests, AMITW volunteers Scott and Jan Riggs excavated several nests Aug. 16, resulting in a find of two live loggerhead hatchlings that were released to the Gulf of Mexico as a crowd of beachgoers watched Aug. 16 near the 200 block of Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach.
The volunteers also recovered 20 hatchlings from the Gulffront patio at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. The hatchlings likely were disoriented by lights from the street and nearby buildings, according to Fox.
The hatchlings were held for observation by AMITW volunteers. After observation, the volunteers decide if the hatchlings can be released and when.
About AMITW
AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on sea turtles, which are listed as threatened or endangered in Florida. The group also monitors shorebird nesting. For more information, go to islandturtlewatch.com or call Suzi Fox, executive director, at 941-232-1405.
AMITW volunteers educate beachgoers about turtles
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are doing their part to educate beachgoers.
Volunteers Scott and Jan Riggs answered questions Aug. 16 from onlookers as they excavated loggerhead sea turtle nests near the 700 block of Gulf Drive North in Holmes Beach.
The volunteers excavated multiple nests that hatched three days prior and found few unhatched eggs.
Phu Nguyen and his family, visiting from Boston, had many questions for the volunteers, who were willing and able to answer the queries.
They stressed the fragility of hatchlings, adding one in 1,000 hatchlings will make it to adulthood.
In the nest, eggs can be harmed by predators and standing water.
After the eggs hatch, the turtles face new risks and must make it to the Gulf of Mexico on their own while avoiding numerous obstacles — encounters with animals, people, beach furniture and trash — and distractions — such as lighting brighter than the reflection on the water that guides them to the Gulf of Mexico.
AMITW reported 14 disorientations as of Aug. 15.
The volunteers stressed the importance of clean and dark beaches at night.