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First Sea Turtle Nest Hatches on Longboat Key
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| The first sea turtle hatchlings of 2014 emerged this week in the area patrolled by Mote Marine Laboratory, which monitors nesting from Longboat Key through Venice.
The hatched loggerhead sea turtle nest was reported Sunday, June 22, on the Sarasota County side of Longboat Key by Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol — a group of scientists, interns and more than 300 volunteers who monitor sea turtle nesting activity every day of nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31, along 35 miles of local beaches.
Mote scientists say nesting season is going strong and they hope for a healthy number of hatchlings. So far this year, Mote has documented 1,095 nests from loggerheads, the most common sea turtle species nesting in Southwest Florida, along with two nests from Kemp’s ridleys, the rarest species on local beaches.
Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program is monitoring local sea turtle nesting for its 33rd year, collecting long-term data that is vital for understanding and protecting these long-lived reptiles. Mote documents each new nest while collecting detailed scientific information about a representative sample of nests, helping to reveal sea turtle population trends and contributing to statewide monitoring efforts.
As part of this research and conservation mission, Mote scientists document and tag sea turtles for identification when they come ashore to nest at night. So far this year, Mote scientists have documented 196 nesting turtles (some were repeat encounters with a single turtle), and documented 91 new individual turtles never before recorded on local beaches. Also so far this year, Mote scientists have documented two turtles they first ID-tagged in 1987.
Beachgoers should report any sea turtles nesting during the day to Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331. Rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtles normally nest during the day, while loggerheads and greens usually nest at night.
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Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Mote has 24 research programs and a variety of initiatives dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at mote.org.
Copyright©2014 Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, All rights reserved.
Contact Us:
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fla., 34236. 941.388.4441
