This is the second week of Sea Turtle Season on Marco and sea turtle monitors recorded three total nests and six false crawls.

According to Article V of the Marco Island Sea Turtle Protection, Section 54-151(c)(3), “man-made moveable objects shall not obstruct sea turtle nesting habitat during nesting season at nighttime. All obstructions, including but not limited to beach furniture, cabanas, umbrellas, tents, personal watercraft, bikes, vehicles, and boats shall be removed between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or prior to the completion of daily monitoring for sea turtle nesting activity by the authorized marine turtle permit holder, whichever comes first. No beach furniture or man-made objects shall be placed within 25 feet of a marked sea turtle nest.”

During Sea Turtle Season, a Nightly Beach Report is generated by the Marco Island Police Department, which details activities on the beach after 9:00 PM. The most common places for activity are South Beach and Tigertail Beach (off Sand Dollar Island). The report lists the type of beach activity observed, which includes the location and types of activities, and more.

On a sample Nightly Report, the following items were observed and reported on:

• Shark fishing
• # of Groups
• # of Fishermen
• # of Poles
• # of Spectators
• If Drone is used
• If Kayak is used
• Fishing licenses verified

In addition, do fishing poles have sea turtle friendly lights attached to their tips? Do drones have current FAA registration and have visible lights as required by FAA and are those lights sea turtle friendly?

According to one Nightly Report, officers encountered groups shelling at night using cell phone lights. They were given warnings and educated about the ordinance. And if officers encounter manmade moveable objects from night groups, they ask the group to remove the objects.

The most common manmade moveable objects are chairs, coolers, tackle boxes, wagons, and equipment.

During the daylight hours, the JW Marriott has the most movable objects. According to Elias Rosa, General Manager of Boucher Brothers Management at the JW Marriott, depending on the beach business levels, they remove anywhere from 300 to 800 pieces daily.

Rosa shared that for the last three years, they have partnered with the Audubon of the Western Everglades to help educate their staff on the local birds and wildlife.

This year, their staff participated in an educational training session with the Collier County Sea Turtle Protection Program on the importance of the environment and what they can do to protect the sea turtles.

Every day at 6:00 PM, Boucher Brothers removes all beach equipment – all chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, trash cans, volleyball nets, tables, rakes, beach games, and podiums completely from the main beach. All trailers also go off the beach across the street parking lot. Some small items are stashed behind the dune vegetation as allowed by Ordinance. Once equipment and furniture are removed, the closing manager sends a report to management, with pictures of the beach areas completely empty and clean, free of trash.