New Smyrna Beach serves as a nurturing home to a variety of marine life, most notably the magnificent sea turtles. These ancient mariners, whose lineage dates back over 100 million years, play a critical role in the marine ecosystem. By grazing on seagrasses, they maintain the seabed’s health, facilitating a thriving habitat for numerous marine species. Their nesting and hatching season is a marvel of nature, drawing both locals and visitors to partake in this spectacle.
Sea Turtle Species in New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is graced by the presence of three distinct species of sea turtles: Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback turtles, each with unique traits and behaviors.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Predominantly found nesting along the shores of New Smyrna Beach, these turtles are easily recognized by their large log-like heads and heart-shaped carapace adorned with five lateral scutes. Mature loggerheads measure between 2.5 to 3.5 feet in length and weigh between 155 to 375 pounds. Their diet primarily consists of shellfish such as crabs and conchs. Loggerheads reach maturity at age 30-35 and nest from May to October, laying an average of 115 eggs per nest that incubate for about 50-60 days.
Green Sea Turtles
These turtles exhibit a unique starburst pattern on their carapace and are nearly white on the underside. Their vegetarian diet, primarily of sea grasses and algae, imparts a greenish hue to their fat, hence the name. Green turtles grow to a length of 3-4 feet and weigh between 240 to 420 pounds. They mature at 20-40 years of age, nest between June and November, laying about 135 eggs per nest with an incubation period of 50-60 days.
Leatherback Sea Turtles
The giants among the trio, leatherbacks can grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh between 660 to 1100 pounds. Characteristically black with white splotches, they have a distinctive rubbery skin with seven ridges of bony plates running down their backs. Unlike their counterparts, leatherbacks feast on jellyfish. They mature between 9 to 20 years, nesting from March to June, and lay an average of 73 fertilized and 30 unfertilized “spacer” eggs per nest, which incubate for 60-75 days.
The diversity in species and their nesting behaviors make New Smyrna Beach a vital and intriguing site for those fascinated by sea turtles and nature.
Sea Turtle Season in New Smyrna Beach
The sea turtle nesting season in New Smyrna Beach is a time of natural marvel. Although officially kicking off on May 1st, nature often leaps ahead with leatherback turtles sometimes laying nests as early as March 29, as was recorded in a recent year. The spectacle continues through to October, with loggerhead turtles primarily nesting between May and October, green turtles making their nests from June to November, and leatherbacks laying their eggs from March to June.
The nesting season is a crucial time for these ancient mariners, and the beaches of New Smyrna Beach become a hub of activity. Each nest, concealed beneath the soft sands, holds the promise of new life, awaiting the right conditions to emerge and embark on the perilous journey to the ocean. The rhythmic ebb and flow of the tides, the moonlit nights, and the warm sands – all play integral roles in ensuring the successful hatching and journey of the younglings to the ocean.
Conservation and Protection Efforts
New Smyrna Beach and its residents take pride in being custodians of this cherished marine wildlife heritage. A significant part of the conservation effort is carried out by the dedicated New Smyrna Beach Turtle Trackers. Every morning from May through October, as the sun casts its first light, these volunteers survey the beach for new nests, ensuring they are well-protected and monitoring existing ones for signs of hatching.
Further bolstering the protection of sea turtles is the Marine Science Center, which provides a sanctuary for injured hatchlings and adult turtles. The center’s rehabilitation program focuses on nurturing the injured back to health, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild once they are deemed fit.
Local laws augment these hands-on efforts, with Volusia County enforcing a lighting ordinance during the nesting season running from May 1 to October 31. This ordinance seeks to mitigate the disorientation caused by artificial lighting, ensuring that hatchlings find their way to the sea instead of wandering inland.
The collective endeavor, embodying both institutional and community efforts, underscores the essence of co-existence and the role humans can play in preserving and celebrating the natural wonders that New Smyrna Beach has to offer.
Community Participation and Awareness
Community engagement is the linchpin in ensuring the safety and conservation of sea turtles in New Smyrna Beach. During the nesting season, residents and visitors alike can play a vital role in safeguarding these magnificent creatures and their offspring. One of the fundamental practices is adhering to the lighting restrictions from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., which entails closing blinds and preventing light from shining towards the beach. Not only is this an environmentally responsible practice, but it also prevents fines of up to $1,500 for non-compliance.
Moreover, locals and tourists are encouraged to turn off lights when not in use, use blinds to block interior lights, and redirect lights away from the beach. These simple yet effective measures help in preventing the disorientation of hatchlings, ensuring they find their way to the ocean rather than wandering inland, thus significantly increasing their chances of survival2. The practice of minimizing the use of flashlights and cell phones on the beach at night is also highly encouraged, with the use of red light deemed as the most turtle-friendly option.
Protect New Smyrna Beach’s Turtles
New Smyrna Beach offers a rare glimpse into the ancient rhythms of nature through the nesting and hatching of sea turtles. The concerted efforts of local organizations, stringent conservation laws, and the commendable awareness and participation of the community epitomize a model of coexistence that other regions could emulate.
The call to witness the marvel of sea turtles nesting and hatching is not just an invitation to observe a natural spectacle, but a call to action to partake in the stewardship of our natural environment. As residents and admirers of New Smyrna Beach’s marine wildlife, we are bestowed with the privilege and responsibility to safeguard these ancient mariners, ensuring they grace our shores for generations to come. Book a New Smyrna Beach vacation rental today for a chance to see these magnificent creatures.