Sea turtle nesting season is officially underway in Brevard County.

  • Sea turtle nesting season: March 1-Oct. 31
  • Conservationists offer tips for beachgoers
  • No bright lights on the beaches at night

Female sea turtles leave the ocean to dig nests and lay eggs in the sand.

A busy tourism season at Central Florida beaches is fast-approaching and could threaten the nests.

 “We are the largest nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the world,” said Roger Pszonowsky of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. “We need to take care of them.”

He said there are a few things beachgoers can do to keep the turtles safe.

“No holes, if you do make a hole please cover it up," Pzsonoswsky, said. "[Holes] may trap a turtle on its way up the beach or on its way back. When you do see a turtle nesting if you’re out early in the morning please don’t touch, stay at least 20 to 25 yards away from it.”

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society said the most important thing is to keep bright lights off the beach at night. 

To turtle hatchlings lights can cause them to get disoriented and stray from their path to the ocean. 

“In our ordinances it says after 9 p.m. no lights on the beach, so essentially are you on turtle time? If so the dark hours belong to the turtles," Pzsonoswsky said.

In 2016, statistics show Florida had around 129,000 sea turtle nests and officials expect another strong year for nesting and hatchlings.

Nesting season lasts until Oct. 31.