With sea turtle nesting winding down across the state, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released its tentative numbers for the 2025 season.
“Here’s a look at where things stand across Florida’s beaches,” the FWC stated, introducing assessments for loggerheads, greens, leatherbacks and Kemp’s ridley nesting:
- Loggerheads remain the most abundant nesting species in Florida, with 103,507 nests recorded as of Sept. 30;
- Green turtles have had a very strong season, with 65,911 nests. The 2025 season is the second-highest green turtle nesting year on record in the state behind 2023.
- Leatherbacks set a new state record, with 2,075 nests as of Sept. 30. “Remarkable!” the FWC said.
Kemp’s ridley nests, while rare in Florida, remain steady with 10 confirmed nests, and a few more suspected nests.
There have been no hawksbill nests recorded.
On the island, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reports just one nest remaining for the season as of Oct. 17.
But AMITW is still active, with end-of-season reporting, fundraising and outreach efforts.
The nonprofit’s annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday benefit will be 4-6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Also, AMITW’s team staffs a booth at the Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, which is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays outside Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
By the numbers
As of Oct. 17, AMITW reported 544 nests, 827 false crawls, 30,899 hatchlings, 30 adult disorientations and 151 hatchling disorientations.