I recently visited Crandon Park’s Visitors and Nature Center, where they run a Sea Turtle Awareness Program. From July to September -the turtle nesting season is April through September- they have open nights where visitors can watch staff members release turtle hatchlings into the ocean.

These are hatchlings that didn’t break their egg when the other turtles in their nest did. Each nests contains an average of 100 eggs, and there are usually 10 or so turtles that are always left behind. The center takes care of them until they are ready for their journey into a huge seaweed patch in the Atlantic where sea turtles spend most of their adult life.

Unfortunately, with so many threats like storms, predators, fisheries and human-released garbage, only one in 1,000 turtles will complete a life cycle, explained our guide.

So why am I sharing all this? Because I just read how a new study warns that loggerhead turtles are at risk of extinction, in part due to commercial fishing. Turtles get trapped in fishing nets, and usually don’t make it out. This happens once or twice a day among fishing fleets, which can reduce the turtle population by thousands annually, the report says.

But there are also other mayor threats mentioned in the report: coastal development that disrupts nesting, such as erosion-control barriers and other structures that prevent mothers from nesting and bright lights that can disorient hatchlings.

The population along the shores of Florida, Georgia and Carolina are at the highest risk, the report concludes. Are you getting the point?

The good news is that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which conducted the report, is also in charge of regulating the fishing industry, and it’s expected to come up tougher turtle protection measures in February.

So here’s the deal: We have to do something before sea turtles become a rarity in Florida. Follow this link to Oceana’s Website and with just a few clicks, send an e-mail to the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization. It takes seconds, LITERALLY.

Turtle hatchling photo via Crandon Park
Adult turtle photo by Coda