Mid-Season Nesting Update at the Sand Dollar Berm

Attachments

Sea Turtle Report 8-13-26

Looking back at the 2025 sea turtle season, the berm conditions are very similar to 2026. 2025 was one of the quietest weather years in SW Florida:

2025 was an El Niño year in Florida characterized by warmer ocean temperatures and reduced hurricane activity.

• No hurricanes have impacted Florida anywhere.
• Non-hurricane rainfall was lower than the annual average.
• Florida experienced its 11th driest year on record.
• A repair and maintenance of the berm was scheduled for January/February 2026, requiring 5,000 to 7,000 cubic yards of sand to resolve escarpment issues.

In spite of the general lack of rainfall and strong winds, the 2025 berm experienced significant erosion with portions of the interior of the berm eroding sand into the lagoon. For the 2025 sea turtle nesting season, the most successful nest area is along the vegetative line at the south end of the berm. The least successful nest area was along the berm, and this area also saw the highest number of total false crawls.

Looking at the Sand Dollar berm today, it is going through similar berm erosion and escarpment affecting sea turtle nesting on top of the berm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed in June conditions for El Niño in Florida. During an El Niño year, sea surface temperatures can run 1.5 degrees above normal. Hurricane season runs through November 30 and storms can slip through even in a “quiet” year, according to NOAA.

At its July 2026 meeting, the Hideaway Beach and Taxing District mentioned plans for the repair and maintenance of the berm post sea turtle season. This is part of the 15-year Sand Dollar Island restoration project, which started in 2022 – 2037.