Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program

All work is conducted under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Turtle Permits #214 and #215. NSU is a private, not-for-profit research university, in Davie, Florida, with a state-of-the-art oceanographic and marine biology research institute in Dania Beach, FL. As employees of NSU, the BCSTCP is responsible for 24 miles of Broward County beaches. The BCSTCP provides conservat

ion for threatened and endangered sea turtles. All seven species of sea turtle are considered threatened, endangered or critically endangered. Broward County serves as nesting habitat for three of the seven species. Sea turtles are nocturnal therefore mainly nest and hatch at night. The largest of the sea turtles is the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) which nest on our beaches from March until June. Leatherbacks are our least common nester only accounting for less than 1% of the nests in Broward County. The most common nesting sea turtle in South Florida is the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) which nest from April through early September with peak season in June and July. The second most common nesting turtle is the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) which nests from May through Early September. Sea Turtles are faced with a multitude of threats. A few of these threats are: exposure to pollution and disease, fishing bycatch, poaching, coastal development and light pollution (exposure to too many lights on the beach causing the sea turtles to disorient; making it difficult for them to find their way to the sea). Here are a few things YOU can do to help protect these endangered species:

1. Refrain from walking on the beach at night during the summer months (April through August) as much as possible. No matter how quiet, humans will often, and unknowingly, frighten nesting sea turtles back into the sea.

2. NEVER use flashlights, flash photography or video camera lights on nesting turtles or hatchlings. Lights can cause disorientation of nesting turtles and hatchlings.

3. Keep bright lights from shining onto the beach. If you have security or safety lights near the beach, build shades around the light so the beach is not directly illuminated. Hatchlings can be disoriented by the bright lights. Contact Broward County Environmental Protection Department for information regarding any local lighting ordinance and available options for compliance.

4. If you see someone harassing a sea turtle or poaching a nest, please call the local police.

5. Pick up trash on the beach, especially plastic bags and balloons. Plastic bags and balloons in the ocean very closely resemble a favorite food of sea turtles (jellyfish) and can cause illness or death to the turtle that eats them. Other harmful objects include balloons, 6-pack rings, monofilament fishing lines and cigarette butts.

6. Stay clear of marked sea turtle nests on the beach.

7. Never interfere with hatchlings emerging from nests or walking along the beach towards the water. They have their natural ability to walk to the water from what seems like long distances for such small animals. By interfering with this trek, you are not helping these babies gain the information and skills they need to survive and return as adults. Disturbing a sea turtle nest is a violation of State and Federal laws. For more information check out this link! https://www.broward.org/NaturalResources/BeachAndMarine/SeaTurtles/Pages/default.aspx

If you see a sick, injured or dead sea turtle please call the Sea Turtle Emergency Line: (954) 328-0580