Sea turtle nesting season starts on Siesta Key

Sea turtles have been laying eggs earlier each year, and in greater numbers on Gulf Coast beaches since 2007, leaving Mote Marine Laboratory scientists hopeful for a fruitful 2015 — especially considering volunteers and beachgoers have discovered at least four nests before the May 1 start of nesting season.

“We weren’t surprised when found out that there were new nests out there,” said Kristen Mazzarella, a senior biologist in Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. “We’re trying to get our volunteers out early this year so that they can catch the new nests.”

Nests have already appeared on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key and in Venice.