For Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, sea turtle nesting season is underway, and early signs suggest an active year along local beaches.
AMITW began daily patrols April 15, marking its 43rd season of documenting and protecting nesting activity.
While the official season runs May 1-Oct. 31, recent years have brought earlier arrivals, with the first nests sometimes appearing in April.
Last year, AMITW recorded 544 nests and 827 false crawls. Loggerheads made up the majority of nests, joined by 16 green turtle nests. By season’s end, 424 nests successfully hatched, producing more than 30,000 hatchlings — over 10,000 more than the previous year. Those numbers reflect both favorable conditions and sustained conservation effort.
This season, AMITW expects to see a returning challenge. Hurricanes in 2024 significantly damaged dune systems and vegetation that typically shield beaches from artificial light. Without that natural barrier, lights from homes, streets and businesses can be visible from the shoreline.
Last season, lighting contributed to at least 181 documented disorientation events. Thousands of hatchlings were drawn inland instead of toward the Gulf, ending up in roads, yards and even swimming pools. Many were rescued thanks to calls to AMITW’s 24-hour hotline, but the situation underscores a preventable risk.
The message from AMITW is: If a light is visible from the beach, it can confuse sea turtles. Property owners and residents are urged to switch to amber or red LED bulbs, shield fixtures, close blinds or simply turn lights off at night during nesting season. These small adjustments directly reduce hatchling mortality.
Community outreach is a central part of AMITW’s effort.
The second annual Suzi Fox Day, scheduled for 3-6 p.m. May 1 in Bradenton Beach at the Coquina Beach Cafe, serves as a kickoff to the season and a tribute to AMITW’s longtime leader.
The event is designed to be accessible — free educational materials, wildlife-friendly light bulbs and family activities will be available, along with live music.
Education continues throughout the season with the return of the Sea Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks. Held at 10 a.m. Mondays May-August at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, the sessions provide people with an understanding of how their behavior impacts nesting wildlife.
Additional information, including how to obtain outreach materials, is available at islandturtlewatch.com. Turtle watch’s phone number is 941-301-8434.