Why Sea Turtle Nests Are Covered with Cages

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Sea Turtle Report 5-22-25

In areas known for high depredation, such as Sand Dollar Island beach and on the main beaches of Marco Island, protected screens or cages are used to protect sea turtle nests, according to the Collier County Sea Turtle Protection Plan. It involves securing a three-foot square wire mesh screen over the clutch with metal tent stakes. The two-by-four-inch screen opening are large enough to allow the natural escape of hatchlings but small enough to prevent most mammalian depredation. This method prevents predators from digging under the screen. 

This week there were 42 False Crawls recorded (12 false crawls last year, same period) and the scarp/berm at Sand Dollar Island was about 35” this week at its highest.