Environment

Olive ridley nests mark first recorded sea-turtle nesting on U.S. West Coast

Officials protected two Orange County nesting sites after olive ridley sea turtles laid eggs near Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.

Image credit: Claudio Giovenzana / CC BY-SA 3.0; illustrative species photo

Huntington Beach lifeguards responded to a turtle near Surfside on September 16 and discovered it was laying eggs. Three days later, lifeguards found another turtle laying eggs near the Huntington Beach Pier. NOAA says the events are the first recorded natural nesting by any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast, though officials do not yet know whether the same turtle made both nests.

What it means locally

Local, state and federal partners fenced both nesting areas and added signs. NOAA says the incubation period typically lasts 45 to 60 days, and the sites will be monitored during that time.

Beachgoers are being asked to keep their distance and avoid disturbing the fencing or signs. Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and sightings can be reported through NOAA’s West Coast reporting system.

Full report and further details: Read original report →