Majority of Sea Turtle Nests Survive Hurricane Matthew

2016 was already expected to be a record-breaking year for sea turtle nesting, and thanks to Hurricane Matthew largely missing South Florida, experts at the Marine Life Center say that should still be the case.

While about 800 sea turtle nests were lost along northern Palm Beach County due to Hurricane Matthew, that number is relatively low when you compare it to the record breaking number of nests that have been layed already this year. Before Matthew hit, about 1250 of the over 15,000 nests had not hatched. 63% of those were lost to the storm, with about 450 still incubating.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations prevent anyone from moving nests, even when the potential for a natural disaster occurs, because the eggs are prone to movement-induced mortality. Winds have minimal impact on the nests, as the eggs are buried under the sand. However, storm surge, and subsequent beach erosion, can leave nests exposed and lower their chances of surviving.

Close to 15,000 nests have hatched along the 10-mile stretch of beach from Donald Ross to Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Those totals don't account for all the nests found on Singer Island and at MacArthur Park.