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Sea Turtles Defy Odds, Shatter Nesting Records in Florida
6 Nov
Summary
- 20,872 sea turtle nests recorded, 3rd highest on record
- Green turtle nests up 40% from last year, near-record high
- Turtles overcame beach erosion and hurricane challenges
In a remarkable display of resilience, sea turtles have defied the odds and delivered one of the strongest nesting seasons ever recorded in Juno Beach, Jupiter and Tequesta, Florida. According to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a nonprofit conservation organization, the 2025 nesting season saw a total of 20,872 sea turtle nests, the third-highest number on record.
This impressive tally includes 12,247 loggerhead, 8,363 green, and 262 leatherback turtle nests. The green turtle nests, in particular, saw a near-record high, with a 40% increase from the previous year's 14,951 nests. Justin Perrault, the vice president of research at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, expressed surprise at the surge in green turtle numbers, noting that they had expected increases but not to this extent.
The turtles' success is even more remarkable given the challenges they faced during the season. Strong winds, high tides, and tropical storms threatened to wash away nests and hatchlings. Beach erosion, especially in September and October, also exposed some buried sea turtle eggs. Despite these obstacles, the turtles persevered, demonstrating the resilience of these threatened and endangered species.
