First Sea Turtle Hatchlings of the Season Spotted on Madeira Beach

Clearwater Aquarium reports the first hatchlings of the sea turtle nesting season on Madeira Beach. Sxity-seven newborns recently made a mad dash for the water under the watchful eye of volunteer patrols.

The aquarium staff has an awesome responsibility to protect the endangered sea turtle along 26 miles of coastline during the nesting season, which is through October.

Patrols are working day and night to identify and keep and eye on nests along Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach, Clearwater and numerous other locations. They also are asking people along the coast to dim or turn out their lights at night, so as not to confuse sea turtles that are nesting and laying eggs.

But the public can help out in other ways, too – by adopting a sea turtle nest.

It is easy to do and will help support work done locally to help the sea turtle population survive and thrive in Florida waters.

The Adopt A Nest program allows members of the public to adopt a nest by giving a donation that goes toward protecting sea turtle nesting activity along local Pinellas County shores. The deadline to adopt is Sept. 30.

There are different adoption levels. Just click on the links to 'Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest."