HONOLULU 鈥� Sea turtle nesting season has begun! Federal and state agencies are asking people to lookout for honu (Hawaiian green), honu驶ea (Hawaiian hawksbill), and olive ridley turtles during the 2023 sea turtle nesting season. The people of Hawai驶颈 can help by reporting any observations of nesting sea turtles, unusually large 鈥榩its鈥� in the sand (which may indicate a nest), or any baby turtles (or hatchlings) found along the beaches of Hawai驶颈.
Sea turtles nest on Hawai驶颈 beaches from mid-April through September, however, nesting can extend into December. People can ensure that they successfully lay their eggs by keeping a respectful distance of at least 10 feet from sea turtles and their nests. And then quickly report any nesting activity to the Marine Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
鈥淭wo of the most important things we can do for sea turtles is give them space when they are on land and keep lights from being seen from the beach,鈥� said Joy Browning, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife biologist. 鈥淢ost activity associated with nesting occurs at night. Lights that can been seen from the beach can cause hatchlings that just emerged from the nest to become disoriented. A disoriented turtle may wander inland or become trapped, unable to locate the ocean. This uses up precious calories, lowering their chances of survival. While we don鈥檛 know how many turtles will actively nest along Hawai驶颈 beaches this year, both state and federal agencies are gearing up to work with our community volunteers to locate and monitor sea turtle nests.鈥�
Honu are known to use beaches state-wide, but nest mostly on Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) in Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument. Honu鈥榚a nest primarily on the islands of Hawai驶颈, Maui, and Moloka鈥榠. Olive ridley nests have been found on the islands of Hawai驶颈, Maui, and O驶ahu, but are extremely rare.
Nesting activity can be difficult to identify because sea turtles both nest and bask on Hawai驶颈 beaches. Here are a few tips on how to tell if a turtle is nesting or basking:
Nesting Behaviors:
- Sea turtles typically lay their nest at night near or under coastal vegetation, and well above the high tide line.
- Sea turtles digging with their rear flippers, then departing the beach is likely an indicator of nesting activity.
Basking Behaviors:
- Basking sea turtles are usually found closer to the water (near the high tide line) both during the day and at night.
- Sea turtles may move sand with their front flippers when basking, but may settle down and go to sleep on the beach afterwards.
Everyone in Hawai驶颈 can protect sea turtles. If you see sea turtles on the beach, in the water, or observe any suspected nesting activity, please remember to:
- View sea turtles from a distance of more than 10 feet. Do not touch, feed, or chase them.
- Harassing or disrupting sea turtles or their nests can incur hefty fines.
- Avoid blocking their access to or from the ocean.
- 鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�Avoid driving off-road vehicles (trucks and ATVs) on beaches that can crush nests, create tire ruts that trap hatchlings, and degrade habitats. Driving on the beach is also illegal in most areas.
- 鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�Report illegal beach driving to the Police Department or the Enforcement Hotline: (808) 643-DLNR or the DLNRTip app.
- Avoid shining bright lights near sea turtles or on beaches after dusk (such as flash photography, cell phone screen lights, flashlights, vehicle lights, exterior building lights, beach fires, etc.). 鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�
- Light pollution can disorient adult and hatchling sea turtles, leading them to wander inland, into vegetation or roads, and away from the ocean.
- If you suspect that you may live near a nesting beach, please contact the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office at (808) 792-9400 and request information on turtle-friendly lighting.
- Ensure fishing line or rubbish is disposed of properly so sea turtles and their hatchlings do not become entangled. E no'ono'o pono and help keep our reefs and beaches clean.
- Keep dogs leashed to avoid disturbance to sea turtles and other marine wildlife.
- Report suspecting nesting activities to the NOAA Fisheries Marine Wildlife Hotline: 1-888-256-9840.
Learn more about the agencies working together to protect endangered species here in Hawai驶颈. Visit us at Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, , and Hawai鈥榠 Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources. Community members interested in volunteering can visit NOAA鈥檚 webpage.
For archived photos and videos of sea turtles, visit our .
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/pacificislands, or connect with us through any of these social media channels at , , or .
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation鈥檚 ocean resources and their habitat. We work to ensure sustainable fisheries and protect marine life, backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach to management. For more information, visit , or connect with us on social media: , , or .
