Latest news with #TreasureCoast
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Florida sea turtle nesting season: Reckless people blamed for false crawls on Vero Beach
An increase in sea turtle nesting season false crawls on Treasure Coast beaches has one conservation group urging residents to stay off the beach at night, be more careful if you do go, and don't scare away the animals. About 70% of turtles' attempts to nest were thwarted on a half-mile stretch of Vero Beach between Sexton Plaza Beach and Humiston Beach Park since June 1, said Kendra Bergman, executive director of Coastal Connections, a Vero Beach-based sea turtle conservation group. That touristy strip of oceanfront hotels and restaurants has attracted about 60 people a night, with a peak of 108, Bergman told TCPalm. About a quarter of them used white flashlights and many interacted with turtles, "ultimately influencing the turtle to not nest and return to the ocean," Bergman said. "Although not every false crawl is caused by humans, the human-influenced false crawls are a major concern and completely preventable," Bergman said. Florida sea turtle nesting season Avoid the beach after dark from March through October. In Vero Beach, the public beach parks close at 10 p.m. If you insist on going at night, do not use a phone or flashlight because the white light scares nesting sea turtles. Human eyes will adjust to the dark, and the moon gives off enough natural light to stay safe. Join a guided turtle walk or daytime turtle dig to search for live hatchlings that didn't make it out of the nest and release them into the ocean. Always view wildlife from a distance. If you insist on going at night, give turtles lots of space so you can watch the entire nesting process without disturbing them. False crawls, light pollution, lack of rain, climate change Other false crawl culprits — some natural and some human-caused — include coastal light pollution, beach furniture and other obstructions, and holes left in the sand and some natural beach composition issues. In June and July, the sand can become dry when there's no rain, said Lauren Maline, a biologist with Ecological Associates. The private consultant based in Jensen Beach documented higher rates of false crawls during a two- to three-week period in mid-June and early-July, when there was an unusual lack of rain, Maline said. "Extremely dry sand can inhibit the ability of our sea turtles to properly dig their egg chambers," Maline said. "During times of decreased rain, we often see more abandoned nesting attempts, where the turtles have sometimes started the nesting process, but then abandoned due to less-than-ideal conditions. " Recent rain "helped a lot in reducing the number of false crawls we are seeing each day," Maline said in mid-July. Loggerhead sea turtle nests For loggerhead sea turtles, it is not unusual for the false crawl rate to exceed 50% or even average 60% as it did on the Treasure Coast in 2024, Maline said. The percentage of successful crawls above the high tide line that result in nests averages 40-50%, and in 2024, it was: 37% in Indian River County 41% in Martin County 42% in St. Lucie County So far this year, it's been: 44.1% in Indian River County 49.1% in Martin County 53% in St. Lucie County "Data actually shows that as a whole, we are at a higher nesting success than last season," Maline said. "It is still early in the nesting season, so these numbers will change and this data only accounts for one species of the three that nest on our beaches." The other two are greens and leatherbacks. Loggerhead, green, leatherback turtle nesting numbers Loggerhead sea turtles have laid this many nests so far this year: 1,305 in Martin County 3,865 in Indian River County 3,930 in St. Lucie County Green sea turtles have laid this many nests so far this year: 64 in Martin County 243 St. Lucie County 666 in Indian River County Leatherback sea turtles have laid this many nests so far this year: 75 in Indian River County 218 in Martin County 245 in St. Lucie County What is the nesting behavior of a sea turtle? Sea turtles, which are on the federal endangered species list, live most of their lives in the ocean, but adult females lay their eggs on land. They often return to the same beach where they were born. They migrate hundreds to thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting beaches every year. Leatherbacks are among the most highly migratory animals on earth, traveling as many as 10,000 miles or more each year, according to NOAA Fisheries. The temperature of the sand determines the hatchlings' sex. Nests that are 81.86 degrees produce males while 88.8 degrees produces females, according to NOAA. Fluctuating temperatures will produce a mix. Gopher tortoises: Relocations spike amid development boom, but Florida running out of room Florida coral reef: Will fishing council let rock shrimp nets drag the rare Oculina Bank? Loss and degradation of nesting and foraging habitats due to coastal development, pollution and climate change are among the most significant threats to sea turtles around the world. Others include: Vessel strikes Entanglement in marine debris Bycatch from commercial and recreational fishing In some areas, killing and eating turtles and their eggs. Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida sea turtle nesting season false crawls on Vero Beach Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
How many shark attacks in Florida? What to do to reduce chances of being bitten by shark
During the summer, the primo spot for a hot and sunny day is the beach. Even with the calm nature of the beach, some might be wary of going too deep into the ocean for fear of getting bitten by a shark. The Florida Museum of Natural History puts the odds of being attacked by a shark at 1 in 11.5 million, but it's still a fear for many beachgoers. Here's what to know about shark bites on the Treasure Coast and how to stay safe when swimming at the beach. Shark bites on the Treasure Coast Since 1998, there have been 76 shark bites, two of which were fatal. There have been no reported shark bites this year, but in 2024, there was one at Bathtub Beach in Martin County. The 2024 bite was the second time Cole Taschman had been bitten by a shark — at the same beach, 11 years apart. Database: Shark bites on the Treasure Coast since 1998 How many shark attacks happened in Florida in 2024? There were 14 reported bites in Florida, a slight decrease from 16 in 2023, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File 2024 report released in February. Taschman sustained a shark bite while paddling out near Bathtub Beach on Oct. 25. A seven- or eight-foot tiger or bull shark bit his feet in one bite, according to Taschman. The United States recorded the most bites, totaling 28, including one fatality in Hawaii. Reduce the odds of being bitten by a shark Here are some tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for reducing your odds of being bitten by a shark, even though the chances are already low: Always stay in groups, as sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual. Do not wander too far from shore. Avoid being in the water during dark hours or twilight, when sharks are most active. Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating because a shark's ability to smell blood is acute. Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because light reflects off shiny jewelry, which resembles the sheen of fish scales. Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing, especially if there are signs of baitfish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on baitfish, are good indicators of such activity. While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins does not necessarily indicate the absence of sharks, as both often eat the same foods. Use extra caution when the waters are murky. Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing may draw a shark's attention. Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a shark's attention. Do not allow pets in the water as their erratic movements may draw a shark's attention. Be cautious when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs since sharks like to hang out in these areas. Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted. Never harass a shark. Florida sea turtle nesting season: Reckless people blamed for false crawls on Vero Beach Missing mangroves: DEP issues warning letter in Sebastian mangrove case What to do if a shark starts attacking you If a shark gets near you or tries to bite you, here's what the Florida Museum of Natural History recommends: Maintain eye contact with the shark Slowly move away and exit the water if possible Hit shark in the eyes and gills since these are sensitive areas that can be hurt, regardless of your own personal strength Hit the shark on the snout and push away since water-resistance can weaken a punch Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's trending reporter. You can contact her at 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Which state has had the most shark attacks? Shark swimming safety tips
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Monday night SpaceX rocket launch from Florida: Where to watch in Sebastian, Vero Beach
Can a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, be seen farther south, in Treasure Coast skies? If the conditions are right, yes! Though rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island, Florida, or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, people from the Treasure Coast can sometimes see this phenomenon. Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Florida's Space Coast could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach and as far south as Vero Beach or West Palm Beach. When there's a nighttime launch window or very early morning, there's an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information on rocket launches in Florida and suggestions on where to watch them from the Treasure Coast. Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@ or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@ For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit When is the next SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? No earlier than Monday, July 21: SpaceX O3B mPOWER 9 and 10 Mission: SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket and deploy the Boeing-built ninth and 10th O3B mPOWER satellites into medium-Earth orbit, SES reported. Launch window: 5 p.m. to 8:13 p.m. ET Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Trajectory: Due east. Sonic booms: No. Live coverage starts 90 minutes before liftoff at : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network's Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type into your browser. Dinner with a view: Treasure Coast restaurants with views of the ocean or river — and a rocket launch Where to watch a rocket launch in Indian River County, Florida Sebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida (cost to enter) Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso, Florida Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in St. Lucie County, Florida Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blind Creek Beachside North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blue Heron Beach, 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce, Florida Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Dollman Park Beachside, 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Herman's Bay Beach, 7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida John Brooks Park Beachside, 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Middle Cove Beach, 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach, Florida Pepper Park Beachside, 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida Walton Rocks Beach, 6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida (dog park) Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in Martin County, Florida State Road A1A causeway in Stuart, Florida House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, Florida This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: SpaceX rocket launch: Best places to see from Ft Pierce, Jensen Beach Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New state law means some Treasure Coast high schools likely to continue early start times
Indian River and St. Lucie teens hoping for extra morning sleep next school year will have to wait for school holidays. A new state law essentially eliminated a 2023 mandate for later middle and high school start times. The 2023 state law required middle schools to begin no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m., citing studies that showed teens perform better with a later start to their school day. On the Treasure Coast, Indian River County high schools begin at 7:05 a.m. and St. Lucie County's start at 7:33 a.m. Only Martin County high schools begin at 8:30 a.m. After school districts complained that changing school start times would cost millions to alter school bus routes, state lawmakers considered alternatives. SB 296, which was signed into law in June by Gov. Ron DeSantis, now allows school districts to be in compliance if they report their school start times and detail steps they've taken to implement later start times at middle and high schools. The report must describe the impact later start times would have on the district and any unintended consequences to the school district, students and the community. That new law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June, was effective July 1. St. Lucie middle schools already comply with 2023 law With the change in law, no schedule adjustments are planned to school start times in St. Lucie County schools, said spokeswoman Lydia Martin in a statement. St. Lucie County had estimated the change would cost about $30 million because of needed changes to bus routes, Martin said. That included $20 million for additional buses and $24 million in staffing, she said. The district's middle schools already are in compliance, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m., Martin said. What to know about Florida's later school start times after SB 296 passed in the House Indian River schools planning no changes Indian River County middle and high school students will see no changes in start times to the 2025-2026 school year, officials said. But the district still might survey parents to gauge interest in changing the start times, said School Board member Peggy Jones. "We will decide as a community if we need to change anything," Jones said. "We are going to have to discuss as a community to see what works." Changing bus routes could be costly, Jones said. In addition, working parents often need older students home for after-school childcare. "That's huge for a lot of parents," Jones said. "We'll see what works, (and) see what doesn't." Martin County schools already later Martin County plans no changes for the 2025-2026 school year. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the new year's start times at its July 15 meeting. In 2024, the district adjusted its start times slightly to be one of the first to comply with the 2023 law. The state provided a monetary incentive to districts that complied early. Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian Rier, Martin and St. Lucie counties. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New Florida law on school start times could impact the Treasure Coast Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX Amazon satellite launch in Florida: When to watch in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce
A late-night rocket launch from Florida is on the horizon — and if you're on the Treasure Coast, it'll be a sight to see. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will potentially carry the third batch of Amazon satellites into low-Earth orbit. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos launched Project Kuiper, a global network of satellites, to compete with SpaceX CEO-billionaire Elon Musk and Starlink satellites. The first two launches of the Amazon Project Kuiper production satellites were courtesy of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. Online, the mission has been called the "Amazon rocket launch" or "the Amazon rocket launch from Florida,' but it's accurate to call it the Amazon satellite rocket launch. Rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Florida's Space Coast could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach to as far south as Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach. When there's a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there's an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information about the SpaceX rocket launch in Florida and suggestions on where to watch them from here. Is there a launch today? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@ or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@ For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit Mission: SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket and deploy a payload of Amazon Project Kuiper internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit, the Space Coast Office of Tourism reported. Launch window: 2:10 a.m. to 3:38 a.m. ET Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Launch location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms for Space Coast of Florida (Merritt Island, Melbourne area): No Live coverage starts 90 minutes before liftoff at : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network's Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type into your browser. Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Sebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida (cost to enter) Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso, Florida Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blind Creek Beachside North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blue Heron Beach, 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce, Florida Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Dollman Park Beachside, 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Herman's Bay Beach, 7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida John Brooks Park Beachside, 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Middle Cove Beach, 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach, Florida Pepper Park Beachside, 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida Walton Rocks Beach, 6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida (dog park) Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida State Road A1A causeway in Stuart, Florida House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, Florida This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: SpaceX, Amazon satellite rocket launch: What time is Florida liftoff?
