Don’t use flashlights, flambeaux or campfires while on nesting beaches at night! Campfires can literally bake the nests beneath them and light scares and disorients turtles and hatchlings. For this reason, beachfront lights should also be turned off at night during the nesting season.
Don’t litter! Garbage left on the beach can trap hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the sea. Turtles at sea can choke or suffocate when they mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish.
Don’t stake umbrellas or other objects on nesting beaches, nests will not always be obvious. For this reason, sandcastles should also be kept below the high water mark to avoid accidentally disturbing or destroying any eggs.
Don’t touch, ride or harass nesting turtles or hatchlings!
