The 2021 sea turtle season was one of the longest on record due to late-season nests that hatched in November, including these green turtle hatchlings entering chilly Gulf waters just a few weeks ago. Only 26 loggerhead nests and one green nest were found this year, the lowest total in a decade on our beach. Hatchling production was only 41% due to numerous storms that flooded and washed out several nests. Artificial lights continue to pose a serious threat to hatchlings that emerge at night, with over half of those emerging from nests this season disoriented by lights (most rescued by volunteers). We’ll hope for better luck in 2022. See you next year!
Panama City Beach Turtle Watch
Team effort to protect sea turtle nests in northwest Florida