provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation is observing a higher rate of sea turtle hatchling disorientations only partway through the season on Sanibel and Captiva. The rate of disorientation is nearly 10 percent of total nests laid.
By the end of the 2024 nesting season, Sanibel and Captiva recorded a 5.9 percent disorientation rate (50 disoriented nests out of 843). This year, as of Aug. 19, the rate has already climbed to 9.5 percent (84 out of 884 nests) — two months before the season even finishes.
“We still have many more nests left to hatch, which means the percentage will only continue to rise,” said Sea Turtle Biologist Savannah Weber. “The increase from last year is likely tied to ongoing impacts from hurricanes, starting with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and worsening with Hurricanes Milton and Helene, which hit last fall.”
“Much of the natural dune vegetation that would normally help block artificial light has been stripped, and the elevation changes have exposed previously obscured lights,” explained Weber.
“Additionally, Hurricane Debby in August 2024 flooded the beaches and washed out the majority of our nests before they could hatch. The true rate of disorientations last year may have been masked by the loss of so many nests,” she concluded.
Each morning, trained SCCF staff and volunteers patrol the beaches and look for signs of hatching sea turtle nests. They carefully examine the tracks left in the sand, which reveal when hatchlings have headed into the dunes or along the shoreline instead of directly toward the ocean. These incidents occur when artificial lighting interferes with the hatchlings’ ability to find the ocean.
“Normally, hatchlings orient themselves by following the brightest and lowest horizon, which is naturally the reflection of the moon and stars over the water,” said Weber.
“But when artificial lights compete with that horizon, hatchlings can be lured the wrong way, putting them at risk of death from dehydration, heat, predators, traffic, or other hazards,” Weber said.
Artificial light sources include direct light, such as porch lights, flashlights, or visible indoor lighting from coastal properties, and indirect light, such as skyglow from inland lights.
By making small changes, coastal residents and visitors can make a big difference in giving hatchlings the best chance of survival. Learn how to make a difference – click here. If you find a disoriented hatchling, contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663