JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s loggerhead sea turtles have reached a preliminary 136,972 nests statewide as of Aug. 31, surpassing the previous annual record of 134,930 nests set in 2023, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Research Institute.
The figures are preliminary and must be verified before 2026 can be officially confirmed as a record year, the FWC said.
If confirmed during final data review, Leatherback turtles would set a new statewide leatherback nesting record with 2,209 nests.
Green turtles recorded 50,815 nests statewide. The FWC noted that green turtle nesting numbers fluctuate significantly from year to year, and 2026 is on pace to be another strong season for the species.
Kemp’s ridley turtles, which remain rare on Florida’s beaches, had 15 confirmed nests. Florida also recorded its first confirmed olive ridley nest in 2026, which the FWC called one of the season’s most remarkable discoveries. No hawksbill nests were recorded.
The FWC thanked all “permit holders, volunteers, interns, and partners [who worked] together to document sea turtle nesting activity.”
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
