Clearwater Marine Aquarium Documents Record Number of Sea Turtle Nests Amid Hurricane Damage

In 2024, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium reported a notable increase in sea turtle nests along a 21-mile stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast. The nesting season, which spans from mid-April to the end of October, saw a total of 271 nests compared to 227 in the previous year. However, the joy of the increased nesting was short-lived as Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton caused significant damage, washing away a large percentage of these nests. This year marked a special occasion as it was the first documented leatherback turtle nest found in Pinellas County, which adds to the local biodiversity. The aquarium's patrol team also witnessed the successful hatching of leatherback turtle hatchlings as they made their way to the sea. Additionally, there were two documented green turtle nests, though the predominant species along these beaches remains the loggerhead turtle, which is the most common nesting turtle in Florida.