Previous coverage: Anna Maria Island group spots 1st loggerhead sea turtle nest

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Turtle nesting season is coming to an end, and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch said 2025 was a record-breaking year for green sea turtle nests on the island.

Loggerhead turtles are by far the most common on Tampa Bay beaches, but the turtle watch typically records a few green sea turtle nests each year. In 2025, 16 nests were recorded, a roughly 33% increase from the prior record, which was 12.

But that wasn't the only good news. All but one of the nests successfully hatched, producing 1,225 baby green sea turtles that hopefully waddled their way into the ocean.

It was also a great year for loggerhead turtles, which had their second-highest number of nests recorded. Volunteers inventorie

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