ANNA MARIA ISLAND – In advance of Hurricane Debby, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers secured stakes at the 682 nests on the Island.
“Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, we have been using a special GPS to mark our nests, which means that if the nest loses stakes, we will be able to repost the nest in nearly the exact location it was originally posted,” Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said.
Volunteers will be documenting any overwash or inundation that occurs as they check every nest after the storm.
“Our FWC Marine Turtle Permit gives us permission to work with and make informed decisions about sea turtle nests. However, it does not allow us to relocate nests or excavate nests early due to storms,” she said.
“These eggs that are outside the nest are likely already compromised and will not hatch, but with your report, we confirm and document the loss,” Mazzarella said. “Eggs that are exposed but remain in the nest are safest if they are not moved. The important thing to remember is that each nesting female deposits several nests in the season, essentially ensuring that at least some of her eggs will survive.”
If you find eggs that are washing out, or uprooted stakes, please note the number on the stakes and report it to Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434.
