BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Due to the rough seas created by Tropical Storm Eta along Florida’s coast, newly hatched baby sea turtles are being washed up along the shore in Brevard County, according to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society.
“STPS is seeing an influx of post-hatchling, or washback, sea turtles on our beaches.
Sea turtles are protected by law, and it is illegal to touch one of any size.
STPS discourages the public from going out to look for these post-hatchling sea turtles.
The nonprofit said storms, waves and wind can disrupt the Sargasso Sea, where new hatchlings swim to every summer and live in the floating seaweed beds, causing the baby sea turtles to wash ashore with the seaweed.