ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (WWSB) - The 2025 sea turtle season on Anna Maria Island has concluded with record-breaking numbers for green turtle nests and the third-highest hatchling production in the area's history.
The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch reported 16 green turtle nests this year, surpassing the previous record of 12 set in 2024. Officials called 2025 an "excellent" year for the species.
Loggerhead turtles also had a strong showing. The 528 loggerhead nests recorded in 2025 made it the second-highest year on record, trailing only 2024's total of 685 nests.
The organization documented 544 total nests this season, with 424 successfully hatching. The nests produced 30,899 hatchlings, including 29,674 loggerheads and 1,225 green turtles.
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Researchers inventoried 479 nests and recorded 827 false crawls, where turtles came ashore but did not nest. One loggerhead nest remains on the beach.
The absence of major storms and hurricanes allowed most nests to hatch successfully, contributing to the high hatchling numbers, according to the turtle watch group.
Artificial lighting caused significant challenges for newly hatched turtles. The organization recorded 181 total disorientations, including 30 adults and 151 hatchlings.
Between 3,951 and possibly more than 9,000 hatchlings became disoriented due to artificial lighting reaching the beach. The lighting issues stem from dune and vegetation loss caused by the 2025 made 2024 hurricanes.
Volunteers found 217 dead hatchlings and recovered more than 400 live hatchlings from pools and drains. The rescued turtles were sent to rehabilitation facilities.
Learn more about the Sea Turtle Program on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.