SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - Sea turtle watchers are reporting hatchling totals this season have surpassed 2024 totals and there are more to come.

In the latest report from the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, volunteers have recorded 22,311 hatchlings so far this year. “This is more hatchlings than we produced in 2024 (20,633), and almost as many that were produced in 2023 (22,713),” the report said. “We still have 224 nests remaining on the beach.”

Hatchlings use light as a guide, the group says, moving away from dark backgrounds and towards the bright night sky over the water.

Experts say there are things people can do to keep light from reaching the beach and disorienting hatchlings:

No cell phone or flashlights (even red lights) on the beach at night

Close blinds so interior lights

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