News

Dear Manasota Key Residents and Renters,

 

Sea turtle nesting season is here, officially beginning May 1^st and ending October 31^st.  Sarasota County’s Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires coastal residents to turn out or shield any lights visible from the beach. This is to prevent adult and hatchling sea turtles from becoming disoriented or losing their way to the gulf waters. 

 

Sarasota County code requires that obstacles such as beach furniture, kayaks, umbrellas, toys and canopies be removed from the beach by sunset for the safety of nesting female sea turtles and hatchlings. Sea turtles don’t back up and can become entangled and trapped in beach paraphernalia. Homeowners are responsible for their guests and renters and could be fined if the problem persists.

 

Fires are prohibited on our beaches during sea turtle season as well. Fires pose a danger to adult and hatchling sea turtles.

 

We have an additional request not covered by the ordinance: Before nightfall, PLEASE fill in holes dug in the sand. Holes, large and small, leave a terrible trap for hatchling sea turtles and shorebird chicks. Large holes can trap or kill our large nesting female turtles. And they can cause serious injury to people as well.

 

Thank you very much for your continued support of the exceptional sea and shore life that reside on and visit our coastal beaches.

 

Find us at www.coastalwildlifeclub.org