Hatched Nest Monitoring and Releases on Marco

Sea Turtle monitors are busy checking out all the nests during their morning inspection. As the expected sea turtle hatch date (approximately 60 days) approaches, sea turtle monitors observe all nests for signs of hatching, such as the obvious depression in the sand or hatchling tracks around the nest. According to the Collier County Annual Report, sea turtle monitors excavate each nest for evaluation approximately 72 hours (three days) following signs of first emergence.  

The monitors examine and remove all the contents of the nest by hand; they measure the depth of the nest and record all data, such as empty eggshells, which account for live hatchings that escaped from the nest and/or dead turtles, found inside the nest. Unhatched eggs are opened and inspected to determine the stage of development. If live hatchlings are found in the nest, they are either released immediately or transferred to a bucket of moist sand for night release. 

Last week, on the south end of Marco, sea turtle monitors found five live hatchlings still inside the nest, and they were released into the water. Hatchling releases are conducted according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Marine Turtle Conservancy Handbook (Rule 68E-1.004, 2016). 

A reminder for all beach-facing residents - lights off after 9:00 PM through  

October 31st – so indoor lights do not illuminate the beach. According to FWC, “disorientation from artificial lighting causes thousands of hatchling deaths each year in Florida and is a significant marine turtle conservation problem.”