Sea turtles face many threats, but we can all make small changes to help protect nesting and hatchling turtles on our beaches.
Protect nesting and hatchling turtles
The best thing you can do to help nesting and hatchling sea turtles is keep our beaches dark. Bright lights can prevent females from nesting and disorient both adult turtles and hatchlings.
Keep the beach safe for wildlife
Remove all furniture, toys and canopies from the beach each night. Fill in holes, flatten sandcastles, throw trash away in proper receptacles, and avoid leaving food that may attract predators.
Remove furniture, toys and canopies each night.
Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles before you leave.
Use proper receptacles and leave no litter behind.
Avoid leaving food on the beach where it may attract predators.
If you hook a turtle
If you accidentally hook a turtle while fishing, don't cut the line. Safely bring the turtle to shore and contact Marine Resources for assistance. If the turtle is hooked while you are on the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier, contact the Pier Manager immediately.
Call Marine Resources: 850-281-5904Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Marine debris is a problem for all marine life, not just turtles. Choose sustainable products that reduce the need for single-use items. Reusable bags, straws and water bottles are easy, cost-effective ways to reduce plastic use.
More ways to help
Open a brochure to learn more about protecting the beach and sea turtle habitat.
The Oriskany Reef was deployed on the morning of May 17, 2006 at a water depth of 212 feet, approximately 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. The exact position was selected because it had the necessary water depth that allowed the ship to be reefed and maintain the 55-foot navigational clearance required by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit. Because the ship is wider than it is tall and there was no guarantee that the ship would land on her side, the ship's 157-foot beam was used to determine the water depth. The Oriskany landed on the EXACT planned coordinates, and is sitting perfectly upright on the seafloor facing due south.
Because the Oriskany is in deep water and can be affected by strong water currents, divers are strongly encouraged to use extreme caution when diving this reef. Novice divers should gain additional training and experience before attempting to dive the Oriskany. All divers should follow the guidelines and safe diving practices provided during their training. Due to the complex nature of the ship's interior and the unknown extent of structural damages caused by the reefing process, divers should not enter the ship under any circumstances. Divers should not remove any items from the ship, and there is no reason for anyone to enter the ship's interior. There is nothing inside the ship worth dying for! Location:
The Oriskany Reef is located at 30° 02.600'N; 87° 00.400'W.
The uppermost structure is at 30° 02.555'N; 87° 00.397'W.
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