Environmental & Extension Services - Natural Resources

Sea Turtle Protection

Sea Turtle History

Turtles have inhabited our planet for over 200 million years. Dating back to the early ages of the dinosaurs, turtles have followed a unique and successful evolutionary path that has allowed them to thrive on our planet. Scientists have classified sixteen different orders of reptiles that have evolved in the last 310 million years. The turtles, or Testudines, are one of only four orders that have evolved in such away that they flourish in present time.

Species

There are currently seven recognized species of sea turtles: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and flatback (Natador depressa).

Physiology

Sea turtles are reptiles in a shell; their bodies are covered by a thick, sturdy surface which provides protection for their soft, inner body and sensitive organs. Sea turtles must breathe air to survive. They lack gills, and have lungs just like human beings. Sea turtles have powerful jaws, useful for crushing food and sometimes defending themselves.

Habitat

Sea turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean. The only time they come ashore is to lay eggs and carry on a new generation. Sea turtles can tolerate a wide range of salinities, making it possible for them to travel throughout our world’s warm-water environments.

Turtles migrate from nesting areas to feeding grounds, which are sometimes several thousand miles away. Most turtles migrate along the coasts, but some populations are known to migrate across the ocean from nesting area to feeding grounds. As a species that migrates long distances, these turtles face special problems associated with differing attitudes toward conservation in different countries.

Diet

Sea turtles have a wide range of foods including small fish, crustaceans, sponges, and jellyfish.

Reproduction

Sea turtles are amazing creatures when it comes to reproduction. They reach sexual maturity at age 25-30 years of age and then females make their way back to the very beach they were hatched from to lay their eggs. Sea turtles will lay a clutch, or group of eggs, averaging 80-120 eggs, depending upon the species. Incubation ranges between 45-65 days. At this time, hatchlings emerge from the nest cavity and make their sea finding journey.

Sea turtle survival rates are low. Scientist confirm that nesting activity is down by 28% statewide since 1989. Survival rates for hatchlings are extraordinarily low; it is said only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will reach adulthood.

Impacts

Five of the world’s eight remaining sea turtle species - the Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Kemp’s ridley - may be found in Florida's coastal waters. Four of these species are classified as endangered in Florida by both federal and state governments; the Loggerhead is listed as threatened.

Sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean, feeding in seagrass beds, worm reefs, and other shallow coastal areas. Each year, female sea turtles crawl onto the County's beaches to lay their eggs in the loose dune sands. Several types of human activities can interfere with nesting activity and the ability of hatchlings to find their way into the Gulf. Artificial lighting disorients the hatchlings that depend upon the illuminated horizon for direction. Night pedestrian traffic can cause adult turtles to return to the ocean without nesting. Coastal development and beach nourishment activities that compact the sands can be equally detrimental. To address these problems, Charlotte County adopted a Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 89-31) which provides standards and criteria for coastal development, obstructions on the beach such as beach furniture, and prohibits artificial light on the nesting zone during the nesting season.

Protection Measures

Artificial lighting is reported as the #1 cause of hatchling mortality. Landward lights can disorient hatchlings that depend upon the illuminated horizon for direction.

Other threats to sea turtles include pollution, temporary structures left on the beach overnight, fishing line and other ocean debris, floating balloons or plastic bags which resemble jellyfish, and dogs running at-large on the beach.

In May 1989, and later amended in June 1998, Charlotte County adopted a Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance (Article XII) which provides standards and criteria for the protection of sea turtle nesting, coastal development, and prohibits artificial lighting on the nesting zone during the nesting season.

In 2005, The Sea Turtle Management Plan was developed to provide clarification and supplemental information on Article XII, Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance. It is the intent of this management plan to provide a balance between the needs of residents and visitors and threatened and endangered sea turtles. This document is also designed to provide the beachfront community a greater understanding of how the County will implement the sea turtle ordinance.

Light Pollution

The Florida Power & Light Company has information about Sea Turtles and Lights.

Light pollution isn’t just a problem for sea turtles, many astronomers are also trying to control light pollution all over the world so they can get a good view of the night sky. Many of the light applications they support can be used near turtle beaches as well. Visit the International Dark Sky Association.

Migratory birds also have problems with light pollution. Information about this subject can be found at the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP).

Management Plan Objectives

Provide public education and outreach programs.
Ensure public safety while managing beachfront lighting.
Monitor development within the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) and the Sea Turtle Lighting Zone through effective governmental coordination.
Preserve nesting habitat for sea turtles and hatchlings.
Facilitate the establishment of safe habitat through the removal of artificial obstructions (i.e., beach furniture).

Helpful Links

Book Reference Guide

Sea Turtles: an ecological guide - By David Gulko and Karen Eckert
Sea Turtles: a complete guide to their biology, behavior, and conservation - By James Spotila
Windward Road - By Archie Carr
So Excellent a Fishe, By Archie Carr
Fire in the Turtle House, By Osha Grey Davidson
Sea Turtles of the World, By Doug Perrine
Loggerhead Sea Turtles, By Alan Bolten and Blair Witherington
Search for the Great Turtle Mother, By Jack Rudloe
Understanding, Assessing, and Resolving Light-Pollution Problems on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches, By Florida Marine Research Institute, Blair Witherington and R. Erik Martin

For more information
Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Services
25550 Harbor View Road, Unit 2, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
941.764.4360

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