Global Communities Mark World Sea Turtle Day with Conservation Actions

World Sea Turtle Day, observed annually on June 16, serves as a global call to action to protect endangered sea turtles and their habitats. In Florida, nesting season peaks between March and October, with loggerhead turtles laying multiple nests, but threats such as artificial lighting, habitat loss, climate change, and pollution pose significant risks to hatchlings and nesting success. Conservation groups like Panama City Beach Turtle Watch actively protect nests and educate the public on minimizing human disruption during nesting and hatchling emergence. Florida's Suncoast, a critical nesting ground for five sea turtle species, recently celebrated a record number of Kemp’s ridley nests, demonstrating conservation progress amid challenges from severe storms and coastal development. Globally, sea turtles inhabit diverse marine environments, with species-specific nesting and feeding preferences emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts. Plastic pollution remains a critical hazard, highlighted by campaigns inspired by incidents like a Ridley sea turtle harmed by a plastic straw, underscoring the ongoing threats these ancient mariners face worldwide.