Sea Turtle Tracker 2018

It's sea turtle season on the Crystal Coast! Keep an eye on this tracker to see how many nests and eggs are laid on our local beaches: Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Indian Beach, Cape Lookout and Fort Macon

Sea Turtles Native to North Carolina Beaches

The most common species of sea turtle in North Carolina is the loggerhead sea turtle. Only Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback sea turtles lay their eggs on North Carolina beaches. These species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered in the United States.

Many sea turtle populations are declining. The threats that our native sea turtles face are:

1. Development and heavy traffic on beaches (that's us!) that can disturb adults or destroy incubating eggs
2. Unintentional capture by fishermen in nets, which can lead to injury or even death
3. Accidental collisions with boater vessels
4. Beach clean-up and re-nourishment activities that can uncover or compact sea turtle nests
5. Our litter! General ocean pollution hurts sea turtles when they return to the ocean

What You Can Do To Help

1. Remove all tents, toys, and beach gear overnight
2. Keep outside lights off at night
3. Pick up trash - especially plastic bags
4. Fill in all holes you, your kid(s), or your pet(s) dig
5. Stay back at least 30 feet
6. No flashlights or flash photography
7. Stay quiet
8. If you see a nesting or hatching turtle or see anyone disturbing a marked turtle nest area -
   • On Emerald Isle call the Emerald Isle Police at (252) 354-2021 
   • On Atlantic Beach, call the Atlantic Beach Police at (252) 726-2523