Published: Last Updated:
Sea turtles in Florida face a growing number of dangers each year. Here in New Smyrna Beach, we take that seriously. Here in Florida and definitely in New Smyrna Beach sea turtles are a treasured commodity. They are an endangered species that faces an abundance of threats. These include armadillos and racoons that make tasty meals out of their eggs. Pollution is another threat — it creates dangerous debris and has caused water temperatures to rise. Consequently, as a community, we are careful not to disturb their nesting grounds. We also avoid distracting hatchlings from their trek to the sea with unnatural lighting, and we make every effort to avoid harming them with propeller strikes when we are boating. Needless to say, even with all of our conservation efforts, these majestic sea creatures have had a tough go of things. The erosion caused by recent hurricanes has recently made their situation more dire. So, where do things stand today for our sea turtles? After working tirelessly to rebuild our beaches and dunes and repair and rebuild sea walls, here’s some happy news. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has counted a record 134,000 sea turtles. That’s 30,000 more than in 2016. Sea turtles can travel thousands of miles in a lifetime. Hopefully, with our dedication and perseverance to their preservation, they will continue to keep New Smyrna Beach a coveted destination. We hope to see them in their trip planners for years to come!