Visitors are now outdoing themselves to become a part of the solution instead of the pollution on

the Alabama Gulf Coast. Share the Beach was formed in 2005 mainly to initiate a plan of action that

would help secure safe passage for the age-old sea turtles that nest here each year. Although

education to the public is still highly necessary 2023 with its record turtle nesting season is offering

some massive hope for the future in how we share our beaches.

Today marks the 23rd year of the official World Sea Turtle Day many conservation organizations

choose to celebrate one of the seven species of sea turtles for each day of the week. The date June

16 as a celebration of all sea turtles was chosen in memory of renowned sea turtle

conservationist Dr. Archie Carr. Founder of the Sea Turtle Conservancy in Gainesville, FL Dr. Carr

held a reputation as a leading innovator in the protection and awareness of the over 100 million-

year-old creatures. Dr. Carr born June 16,1909 native of Mobile Alabama wrote 11 books about sea

turtles and over 120 educational and scientific articles about their behaviors thus spreading

knowledge from coast to coast before he died in 1987. For more history on Dr. Carr visit these sites.

mobilebaymag.com

This year’s auspicious season is already surpassing the benchmark in past years 2016, and 2017

gearing up for record-breaking numbers. Share the Beach director Sara Johnson explains our

southern shores “are up to 47 nests, with two being confirmed Kemp’s Ridleys, a couple other

suspected Kemp’s, and the rest Loggerheads.” Nearly all species of sea turtles are now classified as

endangered however the Kemp’s Ridley is considered critically endangered making it all the more

special to have two nests so far this year. Fluctuating nest temperatures will produce a mix of both

male and female hatchlings in the months to come cold for males and warmer spots for females. The

number of eggs in a nest is called a clutch and depending on the species will vary. Loggerheads our

most common can avenge up to 122 eggs per clutch. These magnificent solo traveling beauties will

crawl on our beaches and lay eggs more than on their southern coast trip. They typically lay

anywhere from two to eight times in one season. Unfortunately, only a few hatchlings will survive

and make it to adulthood making the work our share the beach volunteers more admirable with

each year.

We have great hope in this year as the number of nest are growing daily they are opening up more

opportunities for our coastal visitors to be a part of the solution. There are many imperative things

our community and its guest can and must do to ensure the population of our ancient friends

remain in flux. Johnson is overjoyed with the nesting turnout this season as well as on-beach

assistance and hotline flow from vacationers. Nesting turtles this year have been spotted and called

into hotlines and guests have even aided in crowd control to keep people back and lights off as

Share the Beach volunteers arrive to secure the area. “Knowing that we are reaching visitors to our

beaches with our education initiatives and people are helping our sea turtles succeed is very

rewarding!” States Johnson. People are asked to stay at least 30 feet away from any turtle or nesting

site that hasn’t been marked, stay quiet, and step away to call 866-SEA-TURTLE or 866-732-8878 to

make a report. For more information www.joinACF.org

Even with all the good news of the 2023 Sea Turtle Nesting season, it is still imperative to continue

to reach the public and share what you know with your fellow beach mate. Not all of our Alabama

coastal visitors are adhering to the leave only footprints motto and beach standard. Just this year

reports of turtle harassment have come in and photo evidence of the turtle struggles was shared on

social media. Sea turtles return to the same region and even the same beaches that they hatched

on. This means they often travel over 10,000 miles to reach their preferred nesting grounds. Once

on the shores turtles need no interference not only from the human touch but also from human

items. This is where leave-only footprints come in and we have an opportunity to help the Momma

after her long voyage emerge onto more of a as we found it sandy shore. Leave only footprints signs

are fixated all over the beaches and throughout coastal towns and the message is simply what it says

leave only footprints. Johnson shares that this year one Momma sea turtle was unsuccessful due to a

tent and towel left on the beach. The photo shows her attempt to nest with “crawl tracks going

under the tent and over items to try to nest, but she was not successful.” She hopes that people will

be encouraged by others to clean up all of their items, anything that could be considered debris

from the beach, and help in the continuous attempt to protect these endangered creatures. Let us

all work together to be a part of the solution. When we know better we must do better Happy World

Sea Turtle Day, share the beach.

Ways to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day.

*Clean the beaches

*Donate to a coastal conservation group

*Be mindful of harmful debris including plastics, especially around waterways

*Lead others in following the same guidelines and beach etiquette-leave only footprints

*Purchase reusable products for yourself and as gifts.

*Read a book on Sea turtles

*Watch a documentary on Sea turtles

*Watch a fun children and family movie featuring sea turtles:

*1.Finding Nemo

*2. A Turtles Tale: Sammy’s Adventure

*3. Turtle: The Incredible Journey

*4. Moana

*Become a volunteer or learn more at sharethebeach.com

Always remember to fill in any holes and take away anything you’ve built including flattening sand

castles.