Sarasota County actively promotes sea turtle conservation and awareness throughout the community. A variety of educational resources are available to coastal establishments, homeowners and associations, property managers, schools, libraries and civic associations. In addition to printed outreach materials for all ages, county staff offer professional presentations on sea turtle biology and related issues, and can provide technical advice on lighting fixture selection and placement.

 

To request a presentation or staff consultation contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for the Sea Turtle Protection Program.

Sea Turtle Awareness

Just for Kids!

Sea Turtle Adventures Activity Book

Research and Volunteers

Local sea turtle nesting and hatching data is collected and reported each year to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The tremendous undertaking is a combined effort of volunteers and staff with Sarasota County Natural Resources, Mote Marine Laboratory and Coastal Wildlife Club, Inc. All activities directly related to sea turtles and their nests must be authorized by FWC under subsection 370.10, Florida Statutes. FWC provides Marine Turtle Permits to staff and volunteers who are trained and have the appropriate knowledge and experience to collect scientific data without causing harm to adult sea turtles, nests, eggs or hatchlings.

 

Sea turtle nesting data from local beaches

Sea turtle nesting data collected from our beaches can be accessed at the

Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Follow local sea turtles around the world

You may follow satellite tracking of a number of our local nesters from Casey and Manasota Key. Satellite tracking, or "satellite telemetry", involves attaching a special piece of tracking equipment to a sea turtle's carapace (shell). The equipment sends a message to a satellite each time the turtle comes to the surface to breathe. Researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory receive the messages via the satellite regarding the location of the Casey and Manasota Key turtles and plot them onto a map. Sea turtles are migratory animals, swimming thousands of miles for food and mates. By tracking the paths of the turtles, people can work together to identify and address some of the hazards along the migratory routes and destinations. Track local sea turtles:

www.seaturtle.org

For more information on volunteer opportunities helping sea turtles, please contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for the Sea Turtle Protection Program.