Protecting our Nesting Birds

We hope you enjoy our beautiful beaches and waters. In addition to being a great place to sun and surf, our beaches are important nesting areas for sea turtles, and our dunes are home to many unique plants and animals.  We hope you will help us protect our coastal habitats and wildlife.   The Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory monitors 35 miles of beaches in Sarasota County and neighboring Manatee County daily to check for new sea turtle nests. This work is done in coordination with county, state and federal efforts to conserve sea turtles. Mote’s findings from each nesting season contribute to the statewide picture of sea turtle nesting trends. Loggerhead turtles are a particular focus in this area, since Sarasota County hosts the highest density of loggerhead nests in the Gulf.  Please protect these magnificent creatures and their habitat:

• It is against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings or their nests. Protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act.
• Avoid using flashlights (even on your phone) or flash photography while on the beach at night.
• Turn off outside patio lights or shield indoor lights from shining directly onto the beach at night. Lights disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings.
• When crossing a dune, please use designated cross overs and walkways.  Do not climb over the dunes or disturb the dune vegetation.

Stranding Investigations | Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium provides 24-hour response to sick, injured and deceased marine mammals and sea turtles within the coastal waters of Southwest Florida, mainly in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The program also offers logistical support to state biologists in the verification and rescue of sick, injured or deceased manatees, an endangered species living in Florida’s coastal waters.  To report a stranded dolphin, whale, manatee or sea turtle within coastal Southwest Florida, please call our hotline: