Record-breaking number of sea turtle nests found on Jupiter-area beaches, researchers say

Record-breaking number of sea turtle nests found on Jupiter-area beaches, researchers say

JUNO BEACH — Researchers have found a record number of sea turtle nests in northern Palm Beach County, according to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.

The 20,998 turtle nests recorded Wednesday broke an all-time record for a 9.5-mile stretch of beach, according to a news release from the center. With three months left in the nesting season, the number of recorded nests had climbed to 21,872 on Sunday, the center said.

The north county nesting area includes the sands of Juno Beach, Jupiter-Carlin and Tequesta. Last year’s number: 18,132. The season runs from March 1 through Oct. 31.

“We are so excited to break this all-time nesting record and can’t wait to see if each sea turtle species breaks its individual record,” Dr. Justin Perrault, vice president of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, said in the news release.

He credited environmental protection practices for the increased numbers.

“Ocean conservation efforts that have been practiced for decades are finally coming to fruition, and we need to make sure that we continue to protect these animals and their ecosystems,” he said.

The sea turtles that usually nest along Florida beaches are loggerheads, leatherbacks and green turtles. All are considered endangered or threatened species.

As of Sunday, researchers had found 14,998 loggerhead nests, 6,768 green turtle nests and 215 leatherback nests on the North County beaches, the Marinelife Center said.