Starting May 1, the beaches in St. Johns County will become nesting grounds for several endangered sea turtle species. In response, county officials are tightening beach regulations, according to a press release. The new rules go beyond basic clean-up and aim to protect the turtles during nesting season.
During the season, which runs through October 31, the council is cutting off vehicular beach access at a precise 7:30 p.m., swinging them back open at 8 a.m., to give the turtles a fighting chance to do their thing under the moonlight; and while LED-throwing ravers might have a bone to pick, this is about survival, not Saturday night fever. Beachgoers are being asked to toe the line with a few simple, but crucial behaviors: avoid using radiation-emitting flashlights, dismantle sandcastles, fill in beach ruts, avoid leaving items like chairs and canopies out overnight, and for heaven's sake, let's skip the pyrotechnics and bonfires—they're a no-go, as per the St. Johns County's press release.
Beachgoers are urged to keep their distance from sea turtles, even if it’s tempting to get a photo. Getting too close can scare them away or disrupt nesting. If you see a sea turtle in distress, call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at (904) 824-8304.
The county’s careful efforts have paid off, with more successful sea turtle nests in recent years. Last season saw the return of the endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles, and the year before had a big increase in green sea turtle nests—showing that small actions by beachgoers can make a big difference. Anyone interested in helping can call Habitat Conservation and Beach Management at (904) 209-3740 or volunteer for the Turtletown USA Beach Cleanup on May 10.
