Personal property left unattended after 8 p.m. on Amelia Island beaches will be
removed and destroyed under island-wide
beach ordinances for Nassau County and City of Fernandina Beach. Personal items include
tents, tent poles, cabanas, coolers, grills, beach chairs, kayaks, sailboards, and sand toys.
According to Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch President Mary Duffy, items 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." In 2016, after the Nassau County ordinance was passed, there were a record number of turtle nests.
Visitors can also learn about
Top Tips for Sea Turtle Nesting Season here.
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.
The company contracted to maintain the beaches is Rollins Snelling. They have set up a dedicated number handle inquiries related to the ordinance and removal of from the beach. Their number is 904-415-4338.
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: