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Awesome news for sea turtle lovers!
Florida just had a record-breaking year for Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests, the smallest and rarest sea turtle species in the world.
As of August 31st, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed 24 nests—more than double last year’s count of 10 nests and far surpassing the 8 nests in 2022.
For anyone along the Gulf Coast, this is a huge win for conservation efforts, especially considering how close Florida is to us.
Though 24 nests might not seem like much, for a species that’s been critically endangered for decades, this number represents real hope.
Kemp’s Ridley: The Gulf Coast’s Special Turtle
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has a special connection to the Gulf of Mexico.
Once abundant, their population took a devastating hit in the mid-20th century due to bycatch (getting caught in fishing nets) and habitat loss.
By the 1980s, only a few hundred females were left to nest. But conservation efforts have been working, and we’re starting to see slow but steady recovery.