Sea turtle season is here and that means a lot of turtle nests on the Grand Strand.
There are 4 loggerhead turtle nests in North Myrtle Beach and 4 more in nearby Briarcliff Acres.
John Sakers volunteers for the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, he’s one of many who walk an 8 mile stretch of coastline each day looking for signs of a new nest.
“Every morning we’re out there at sun up and you will actually see the tracks from the turtle and you can follow those tracks up to the sand and see exactly where she nested,” said Sakers.
Sakers says loggerheads usually make their nests at night as they tend to look for dark, quiet spots; but have been know to lay their eggs in higher traffic areas.
“There are a lot of folks out here that have seen a sea turtle this year and they do tend to shine the light right on it or take pictures,” Sakers says that poses a problem because if disturbed before getting a chance to lay her eggs a sea turtle might not get another opportunity.
“If she’s at a point where she has to lay those eggs she could return the ocean and deposit them there and they would all be dead, they can’t survive the ocean,” said Sakers.
He says a dark beach will attract more nesting adults and also allows baby sea turtles a better chance to make it back to the ocean undetected.
Nests laid below the high tide line, or in danger of being washed away will be dug up and relocated. A nest on 10th Avenue North was moved to its current location because of its proximity to a footpath near a condo.
“the most important thing is to let them have their space. If you go right up to her get in front of her, she might turn around, so giver her the space,” said Sakers.
If you do see signs of a sea turtle nest you can call the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol at 843-280-5511
Some other tips to keep loggerheads safe are to not litter, fill in holes and knock down sand castles or anything that could impede a turtle.
Also stay off the dunes and keep your pets on a leash as to not disturb the nests.
Sea turtle nesting season typically runs from the beginning of May through the end of October.
There are 4 loggerhead turtle nests in North Myrtle Beach and 4 more in nearby Briarcliff Acres.
John Sakers volunteers for the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, he’s one of many who walk an 8 mile stretch of coastline each day looking for signs of a new nest.
“Every morning we’re out there at sun up and you will actually see the tracks from the turtle and you can follow those tracks up to the sand and see exactly where she nested,” said Sakers.
Sakers says loggerheads usually make their nests at night as they tend to look for dark, quiet spots; but have been know to lay their eggs in higher traffic areas.
“There are a lot of folks out here that have seen a sea turtle this year and they do tend to shine the light right on it or take pictures,” Sakers says that poses a problem because if disturbed before getting a chance to lay her eggs a sea turtle might not get another opportunity.
“If she’s at a point where she has to lay those eggs she could return the ocean and deposit them there and they would all be dead, they can’t survive the ocean,” said Sakers.
He says a dark beach will attract more nesting adults and also allows baby sea turtles a better chance to make it back to the ocean undetected.
Nests laid below the high tide line, or in danger of being washed away will be dug up and relocated. A nest on 10th Avenue North was moved to its current location because of its proximity to a footpath near a condo.
“the most important thing is to let them have their space. If you go right up to her get in front of her, she might turn around, so giver her the space,” said Sakers.
If you do see signs of a sea turtle nest you can call the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol at 843-280-5511
Some other tips to keep loggerheads safe are to not litter, fill in holes and knock down sand castles or anything that could impede a turtle.
Also stay off the dunes and keep your pets on a leash as to not disturb the nests.
Sea turtle nesting season typically runs from the beginning of May through the end of October.
