Protected Sea Turtle Nesting Grounds in Florida | July 12 2026, 03:47

How sweet. On a Florida beach, a square meter is surrounded with ribbons and there’s a sign that reads:

DO NOT DISTURB! SEA TURTLE NEST HERE. VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO FINES AND IMPRISONMENT!

Florida Statute

Chapter 379.2431(1)

No person may take, possess, disturb, mutilate, destroy, cause to be destroyed, sell, offer for sale, transfer, harm, or harass any sea turtle, its nest, or eggs at any time.

Upon conviction, an individual may be incarcerated for up to 60 days or fined up to $500, or subject to both penalties simultaneously, plus an additional fine of $100 for each sea turtle egg destroyed or taken.

The US Endangered Species Act of 1973

No person may take, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any sea turtle, its nest, and/or eggs, or attempt such conduct.

Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this Act may be subjected to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 or a criminal penalty of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.

If you witness a violation, see an injured or stranded turtle or disoriented hatchlings, please contact the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) at 888-404-FWCC (3922), *FWC or #FWC.

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Next to this site, some Mexicans were sitting and talking loudly. I jokingly asked if they were disturbing the eggs. It seems they didn’t understand English, but they moved away just in case.