Florida’s Commission for the Protection of Wildlife and Fisheries (FWC) today urged people visiting the state’s beaches on July 4, US Independence Day, to show respect To the space where turtles and birds nest.
The FWC recalled that the best way to “help protect nesting birds from coastal birds and sea turtles” is to “give them space and avoid throwing fireworks on the beach.”
Experts emphasized that both Atlantic and Gulf Coastal seabirds and sea turtles are “vulnerable species”, with the aggravation that both are in full nesting season.
The month of July is a busy month for sea turtles, which come to Florida’s nesting beaches, so that “overly bright lights”, “loud noises” or excessive proximity to people can “disorient” “To the females and make it fail to lay eggs.
“It’s great to celebrate on July 4, but please help protect nesting sea turtles and shorebirds” by refusing to launch rockets on beaches or to get too close to nests, said Brad Gruver, a FWC scientist.