TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott announced a record year for the number of green sea turtle nests in Florida on Friday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) documented approximately 28,000 green sea turtle nests on 26 Florida beaches this year.
“It’s exciting to hear that our efforts to protect Florida’s environment are helping the sea turtle population thrive," Governor Scott said. "We are committed to protecting our state’s natural treasures so future generations of Floridians will be able to enjoy them.”
Nearly 30 years ago only 464 green turtle nests were recorded on 26 beaches that are part of the Index Besting Beach Survey program. In 2011, the count was 10,701, which quickly increased to 25,553 in 2013.
The counts represent about 68 percent of green turtle nesting statewide. Results of the FWC Statewide Nesting Beach Survey program will be available in early 2016.
The high level of loggerhead nesting in recent years followed a large drop in loggerhead nest counts between 1998 and 2007.
