The rough surf and high tides from Hurricane Erin are threatening sea turtle nests on North Carolina’s beaches, according to groups tasked with monitoring the nests.
Sea turtles crawl up onto the beach to lay their eggs in the summer. Loggerhead turtles are the most common species seen in North Carolina, according to North Carolina Aquariums. But green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley and leatherback turtles will also nest on North Carolina beaches.
All sea turtle species are listed as endangered.
“Eggs are able to handle some ocean over wash. In some cases over wash has a positive effect and keeps nests from lethal high temperatures. Nests underwater, eggs sitting in water for a sustained period, is something else, and usually not survivable,” The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center said.
“We have to trust that the millions of years of biological strategy to deposit a few hundred eggs per turtle, into the sand every summer, can sustain some losses, as occur every nesting season around the globe,” the turtle rescue group on Topsail Island said on Facebook.
Lost nests were reported on other beaches.
“Sadly we are aware of the state of our sea turtle nests. Please remember that it is illegal to take eggs,” Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol said on social media.
The turtle rescue group on Oak Island also reported at least two nests lost there.
Charles Duncan
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