For the First Time in 75 Years Endangered Sea Turtles Observed Nesting on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands

Louisiana – The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) revealed on August 17, 2022, that for the first time in three-quarters of a century, sea turtle hatchlings were sighted on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands. In the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) discovered hatchlings of the endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle.

“Louisiana was largely written off as a nesting spot for sea turtles decades ago, but this determination demonstrates why barrier island restoration is so important,” said CRPA Chairman Chip Kline. “As we develop and implement projects statewide, we are always keeping in mind what’s needed to preserve our communities and enhance wildlife habitat. Having this knowledge now allows us to make sure these turtles and other wildlife return to our shores year after year.”

Since May, CPRA and LDWF have been closely monitoring the Chandeleur Islands as part of a Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group effort to plan a project to repair the islands after they were devastated by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and various tropical weather systems over the years. The discovery of nesting sea turtles will assist influence future island restoration efforts and guarantee that sea turtle nesting habitat is conserved and improved.

“It is well known that the Chandeleur Islands provide key habitats for a host of important species; however, with the recent discovery of a successful Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatching, the islands’ value to the region has been elevated,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “We are gaining a better understanding of the benefits this barrier island restoration may provide in the recovery of this endangered species across the Gulf of Mexico.”

“We have a responsibility to protect the wildlife here, and that means creating safe and nourishing environments for these turtles and other animals that call Louisiana home,” said CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase. “It’s an exciting discovery, and we hope to see additional hatchlings emerging in the weeks and years to come.”

The discovery marks the first sighting of wild sea turtle hatchlings on the Chandeleur Islands in at least 75 years. More than 53 sea turtle crawls have been reported thus far, with two live hatchlings seen making their way to the water.

“We were very excited to learn that sea turtles are once again using the Chandeleur Islands for nesting,” said Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). “We’ve worked hard with our partners to restore wildlife and habitat in the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill through planning and implementing numerous projects, including on the Chandeleur Islands. The discovery of sea turtles nesting and successfully hatching is a huge step forward demonstrating the amazing resilience of fish and wildlife resources, including threatened and endangered species, and the importance of restoring these barrier islands to protect humans and nature.”

The hatchlings were identified as Kemp’s ridley sea turtles by the USFWS, and crawl survey data shows that, in addition to Kemp’s nests, loggerhead sea turtles are nesting on the islands. Several loggerhead sea turtles were also observed nesting in Grand Isle in 2015, which was the first verified sea turtle nesting on the Louisiana coast in over 30 years.

Both sea turtle species are federally protected; the Kemp’s ridley is endangered, while the loggerhead is threatened. Kemp’s are found in coastal Louisiana waterways, feeding in the state’s abundant estuaries. Every year, many sea turtle species assemble in the Chandeleur Islands along the nearshore border of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, feeding in and adjacent to the state’s only marine seagrass meadows.

As surveillance continues and hatchlings emerge, other nests on the Chandeleur Islands may be discovered. The peak nesting season for sea turtles is from June to July, with young hatching 50 to 60 days later.

Featured image source: CPRA