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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