Nassau County gives tips to residents and visitors on how to protect the sea turtles

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — As turtle nesting season is approaching, mama turtles will be arriving to Florida beaches to lay their eggs.

Nassau County is doing their part in helping the sea turtles this season.

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These are ways other people can help according to Nassau:

• Beach fires are prohibited from May 1 - October 31st (sea turtle nesting season)
• Remove all beach gear, fishing gear, trash and other items from the beach prior to nightfall
• Keep the beach flat. Not only are holes dangerous to people walking on the beach, they can be deadly to sea turtle hatchlings. Fill all holes before you leave.

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• Turn off the lights. Nassau County Code, Section 37.07, Beachfront Lighting Restrictions, was created to safeguard nesting mothers and their hatchlings. Failure to comply could result in a fine.
• Avoid flash photography which can be disturbing and harmful to see turtles
• Replace white porch lights with turtle safe lighting found at your local hardware store
• Eliminate, turn off, redirect or shield lights that can be seen from the beach surface
• Install timers and/or motion detectors and set the timer to 5 minutes or less for areas where light is needed
• Keep pool and cabana lights off
• Apply dark window tinting or draw curtains/blinds after dark

Read: Sea turtle nesting season is here; you can help by following some simple rules

• Avoid using flashlights on the beach at night. Instead, use turtle safe flashlights found at your local hardware store
• Respect the mothers as they produce their hatchlings and fulfill their need to lay as many eggs as possible
• While walking, be aware of turtle nests and avoid getting too close
• Walking on moist sand will prevent surprising a female and emerging hatchlings. If you encounter an adult emerging from the sea, be still and allow her to travel up to the beach. Speak softly and slowly while in their presence.
• Do not approach a female while she is laying her eggs

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• Watch out for hatchlings
• While walking on the beach, look out for baby turtles on their way to see and avoid stepping on them.
• Avoid all turtle nests
• Hatchlings do not need help walking on the beach, however they do need a clear path to the ocean.

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