ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding people in Florida about nesting season for sea turtles.

Each spring and summer, thousands of turtles, shorebirds and seabirds nest on Florida’s beaches.

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FWC is reminding beach visitors to keep their distance and not get within 50 feet.

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FWC reminds residents, visitors to help keep sea turtles safe during nesting season

Getting too close to sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they complete nesting.

In addition to giving the sea turtles space beach visitors are also asked to help keep beaches clean and dark.

Obstacles on the beach can prevent sea turtles from nesting as they crawl from the water, across the sand, to lay their eggs.

Food scraps left on the beach can also attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings.

Officials said it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles and their nests, eggs and hatchlings.

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FWC reminds residents, visitors to help keep sea turtles safe during nesting season