Effective May 30th, any personal property left unattended after 8 p.m. on Amelia Island beaches will be
removed and destroyed under a
new ordinance. This includes
tents, tent poles, cabanas, coolers, grills, beach chairs, kayaks, sailboards, and sand toys.
According to Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch President Mary Duffy, items, especially beach furniutre, left on the beach overnight pose "obstacles for endangered sea turtles attempting to nest...endangered sea turtles can become entangled and forced to crawl around to find a place to lay their eggs or, worse yet, return to the sea without depositing their eggs, only to have to return to find another nesting site. None of this is easy for a 200-pound turtle." So far this year, Duffy reports, "there have been a record number of nests."
Those with documented disabilities can
apply for a permit to leave necessary items. Please note that completed applications must be submitted at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance to issuance of permit.
Find out more:
General Beach Safety and Regulations
Nassau County Ordinance 2016-06
Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch
And...watch highlights from a nest excavation last year: