The North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol was organized in 2010 and is an all volunteer group working for the preservation of endangered sea turtles. The leaders of the group are authorized by the SC Department of Natural Resources to conduct research and management activities regarding sea turtle conservation. For stranding activities, the leaders are authorized to measure and mark dead sea turtles, transport or transfer sea turtle specimens in SC. For nesting activities, the leaders are authorized to identify and mark nests, inventory nests three days after emergence, recover hatchlings, probe to locate egg clutches, relocate nests, cage nests and collect one egg shell from each nest for genetic research study.
From May 1st thru mid August, starting at sunrise, the volunteers walk every mile of North Myrtle Beach looking for turtle tracks in the sand which would indicate a strong possibility that a sea turtle laid a nest of eggs.
45-65 days after a nest is laid the hatchlings will emerge from the nest. North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers inventory the nests 4 days after the hatchlings have emerged to determine the number of eggs, how many hatched and how many did not. The Public is invinted to attend these inventories.
The North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol also participates in various outreach projects to educate the public and community about sea turtles.
SC Department of Natural Resources:
The SCDNR marine turtle conservation program is dedicated to the protection and conservation of sea turtles. Therefore, the public is discouraged from attempting to observe a nest when hatchlings are emerging. While it is not possible to know exactly when a nest will hatch, it is also harmful to the hatchlings to be exposed to human interaction while they crawl to the ocean. Hatchlings are susceptible to predators and disorientation from artificial light. If people are present, there is the potential for the hatchlings to be stepped on or disoriented from even the smallest amount of light from a mobile phone, a white t-shirt or tennis shoes. Any disturbance to the hatchlings during their emergence is unlawful.
If you encounter sea turtle hatchlings on the beach or an emerging nest, it is unlawful to disturb them and it can be harmful:
- Do not stand or sit on the sand dunes; it is unlawful to walk on the dunes.
- Do not approach any sea turtle hatchlings and give them plenty of space.
- Do not handle or hold sea turtle hatchlings.
- Do not carry, guide or help sea turtle hatchlings to the ocean.
- Do not shine any lights on the hatchling regardless of the color of the light. Do not turn on your cell phone.
- Do not take any pictures of the hatchlings; flash photography is harmful to the hatchling.
- Any disturbance to a sea turtle nest or emerging hatchlings is unlawful and may harm the animal.
