HCP News

Turtle Tracks

Check out the latest tally of nests, hatchings and fast facts! Updated every Friday.

Share the Beach eNewsletter
Get the latest news about sea turtle season, a tally of turtle nests, learn beach flora and fauna, and much more!

First Sea Turtle Nests Discovered!
Even though Sea Turtle Nesting Season does not officially begin until May 1, St. Johns County officials have discovered two leatherback nests on St. Johns County beaches. On Thursday, April 2, and Saturday, April 4, a County beach employee was conducting the routine early morning beach run to clear debris and maintain the driving lane when he discovered a nest each day. Because nests have been documented prior to the official start of sea turtle nesting season and the restricted beach driving times are not yet in effect, County officials are asking residents and visitors to reduce beach front lighting and limit their time driving on the beach at night as well as early mornings. This will help alleviate any negative impact to nesting sea turtles. Full Story.

Beach Use Workshops
Learn the Beach Rules! St. Johns County holds workshops to let people know about beach access policies in compliance with the  approved Habitat Conservation Plan.

Some of the measures in the HCP that will minimize impacts to our protected species is that vehicular access will be limited from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm May 1 – October 31, increased enforcement of Conservation Zone (CZ) regulations, and developing and instituting a training program that must be attended by drivers wishing to obtain a four-wheel drive permit for driving north of Vilano Ramp. This will allow our nesting sea turtles a safe passage to and from their nesting sites. Other changes affect lighting, commercial fishermen, and horses on the beach.

For more information or to schedule a HCP Protected Species workshop please call Tara Dodson at (904) 209-3740.

Whale Stranding
October 29, 2007 a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) washed up on the beach at St. Augustine just south of the A-street access ramp. HUBBS Sea World Research Institute was contacted by the St. Augustine Beach Police Department. Full Story ->

Important Sighting of Mother and Calf Right Whales Confirmed off NE Florida NOAA Asks Mariners to Keep a Lookout and Report Future Sightings – NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service confirmed a sighting of a mother and calf Right Whale pair off Florida's northeast Atlantic coast on July 17 approximately 15 miles east of Mayport, Fla. Click for more.

Stranding Update
On June 28, 2007 a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia sp.) beached itself on St. Augustine beach just north of Mary Street beach access ramp. It is undecided as to whether this whale is one of two species of the pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (pygmy) or Kogia sima (dwarf). Both are very similar and only a necropsy will determine the species. Full Story ->