Wildlife officials say sea turtle nest counts are up on east-central Florida beaches. In Volusia County, turtles have dug 2,884 nests so far this year, up from 2,356 nests all last year. In Flagler County, turtles have dug 555 nests so far this year, compared with 444 in 2011.
Sea turtle nesting in Manatee and Sarasota County beaches resumed following the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, which damaged, destroyed or concealed a majority of sea turtle nests from Longboat Key south through Venice. As of August 15th there were 2,375 loggerhead nests and 4 green turtle nests as compared to 2011 when there were 1,244 loggerhead nests and 7 green turtle nests.
