Boating & Fishing Insiders

Sea turtle nesting increases on Florida beaches Credit: MyFWC.com

One of the great thrills about fishing in Florida waters is seeing a sea turtle feeding on the surface. Anglers and wildlife lovers have a reason to be happy this fall - loggerhead sea turtle nesting hit a near 24-year high along the state’s beaches this year.

Trained surveyors counted 58,172 loggerhead nests this year, one of the highest counts since monitoring began in 1989. Nesting on these beaches peaked in 1998 with 59,918 and hit a low of 28,074 in 2007.

But hatchlings will continue to emerge from nests through November, so anglers surf fishing these fall months should remember to keep their distance if they spot sea turtles on the beach.

Approximately 90 percent of all loggerhead sea turtle nesting occurs in Florida. Green turtles and leatherbacks also nest on Florida beaches. If you see a sick or injured sea turtle, contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).