VERO BEACH — Indian River County officials are celebrating a banner year for sea turtle nesting, with green sea turtles shattering a previous record along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
As of Sept. 12, county monitors had counted 4,515 green sea turtle nests, topping the 4,105 logged in 2023. The total for all species hit 11,295 across the county’s 22.4 miles of shoreline, and nesting season doesn’t wrap up until Oct. 31.
“This extraordinary achievement reflects the ongoing countywide commitment to protecting sea turtles through daily monitoring activities, beach management strategies, and community engagement,” County Administrator John Titkanich said in a statement.
Titkanich praised residents for their role in the success. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank the community for their diligence in protecting our sea turtle nests,” he added.
Three species nest in the area: loggerheads, greens and leatherbacks. Loggerheads led with 6,702 nests, followed by greens at 4,515 and leatherbacks at 78. July marked the peak, with 4,310 nests overall — a 50% jump from the same month last year.
Coastal Specialist Dakota Whelan urged beachgoers to pitch in. “Residents and visitors are reminded that everyone has a role to play in sea turtle conservation,” Whelan said. “Simple actions such as keeping a respectful distance from adult turtles and hatchlings, removing furniture and trash from the beach, and complying with the sea turtle lighting ordinance will make a big difference in creating a safer environment for nesting females and emerging hatchlings.”
The county’s Coastal Division expressed optimism for next year. “The record-setting numbers would not be possible without the engagement and stewardship of our IRC community,” Titkanich said.
These figures are preliminary, with final tallies due in the 2025 Habitat Conservation Plan report. Weekly updates are available on the county’s Coastal Division webpage.
Anyone spotting a sick, injured or dead sea turtle should call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
