‘Hands off!’ is best policy for sea turtle hatchlings

Sea turtle hatchlings are digging out of their nests and clambering toward the ocean in September and October, the last months of Florida’s sea turtle nesting season.
Just remember, “Hands off!” is the best policy for beachgoers encountering sea turtle hatchings.

Well-meaning efforts to rescue a sea turtle hatchling by helping it leave a nest or picking it up and placing it in the ocean are not good ideas, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists.

Worse yet are instances where hatchlings are being handled by people who think it’s OK to get that close, often because they want to take a photo.

“Some Florida beachgoers are unaware that sea turtle hatchings should be watched from a distance and left undisturbed,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, who leads the FWC’s sea turtle management program. “Even well-meaning attempts to rescue sea turtle hatchlings can do more harm than good. And digging into a sea turtle nest, entering a posted area, or picking up a sea turtle hatchling to take a photo also are against the law.”

Hatchlings must overcome many obstacles to survive. Digging out of their nests may take a few days. Once out, they are vulnerable to predators. And any misdirection on their path to the sea – from artificial lighting to items left on the beach, holes in the sand or people approaching or handling them – may leave them exhausted, lost or dehydrated on the beach in the morning sun.

“So please remember to keep your hands off sea turtle hatchlings and tell others to do the same,” Trindell said. “The best way to help hatchings is to turn off any artificial lighting on the beach at night or at least keep it shielded. If you see hatchlings, watch from a distance and never shoot flash photos.”

Bright lights on houses, motels, condominiums and businesses along the beach can disorient nesting adult females, but are particularly harmful to turtle hatchlings. The hatchlings will head for the bright lights, thinking they are the sparkling sea. They can end up walking landward and are more likely to become prey for animals like coyotes.

People are asked to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or *FWC or #FWC on a cellphone, to report hatchlings that are stranded, wandering in a road or parking lot, heading away from the water or are dead.

For more on sea turtle nesting and hatchlings, go to MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.

Captain Wally Moran is an experienced Intracoastal Waterway cruiser and is well qualified to host his annual Sail to the Sun ICW Rally.

The 2016 Sail to the Sun ICW Rally is very pleased to announce the premiere Sail to the Sun Cruising Seminar, to be held during the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Recognizing that sailors and cruisers both need and are actively looking for reliable information to make their voyages easier, safer and more enjoyable, Sail to the Sunʼs founder, Wally Moran, has set up a day long seminar event with top notch speakers.

Leading off the list is Lin Pardey, who needs no introduction. Lin and Larryʼs mantra – go small, go simple, go now – is well known by all cruisers and has led thousands of us to untie the lines and head out. Lin will discuss offshore sailing from the point of view of the ʻnew to offshoreʼ cruiser. Of course, being Lin, there will be lots of excellent ideas for old salts as well, making this a must see seminar for everyone.
New cruisers often wonder how to make that onboard partnership work in practice. Enter Captains Jeff and Jean Grossman, of Two Can Sail. Jeff and Jean discuss the cruising partnership and what works, plus what makes it better with tips and ideas on blue and pink chores, and who is actually running the ship – the admiral or the captain –
or both. Their enlightening and entertaining advice has been welcomed by thousands of cruisers old and new.
Even long time cruisers worry about crossing the Gulf Stream on their way to the Bahamas. Captain Dave Skolnick, past president of the Seven Seas Cruising Association and a long time delivery captain, has the techniques youʼll need for a smooth passage to these beautiful islands. Dave is also reputed to be an awesome onboard cook, and youʼll have the chance to ask him for his favorite recipes during the Roundtable Q&A session.
If youʼve ever wanted to know how to set your anchor for that perfect nightʼs sleep, Dr. Greg Knutson, founder of Mantus Anchors and a cruiser himself, will guide you on the best practices for anchoring so that you wake up in the same place you went to sleep. Cary Wiener, of Pantaenius Insurance, will discuss yacht insurance, including insuring your vessel for a trip to Cuba should cruising to that island paradise be part of your plans.
Dave Gillespie, of Cruising World, will be discussing cruising in the Bahamas. His talk will include how to cruise the Abacos and the Exumas, including the best anchorages and cays, where to anchor and the unique adventures you can enjoy in each location.
Long time cruiser and writer and ICW expert Wally Moran will speak on cruising the ICW, that unavoidable first big step on an east coast cruisersʼ trip to Paradise. His seminar is full of tips and techniques designed to assist you in experiencing an enjoyable, comfortable and safe trip down the ʻDitchʼ.
Following these information filled seminars, there will be a Roundtable Q&A session where you can ask any of the speakers your own questions. With the breadth and depth of knowledge at the table, you can be sure to get the answer youʼre seeking.
Lunch will be served, and there will be a social session with refreshments after the Roundtable session.
This event will be held at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 2nd St. Annapolis Maritime Museum, Annapolis, on Monday, October 10 from 9 – 5. To purchase tickets, click through to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sail-to-the-suncruising-seminar-tickets-26973144401.
If you need further information, the Rally Seminar page is at http://icwally.com/ICWally/Annapolis_Seminar.html or you can contact Sail to the Sun directly at ICW.Wally@gmail.com