Loggerhead sea turtles have broken Florida's all-time nesting record, with 136,972 preliminary nests counted statewide through Aug. 31.

The count surpasses the previous record of 134,930 nests set in 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported through its Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, as first reported by Action News Jax on Sunday. The figures remain preliminary and must be verified before 2026 is officially confirmed as a record year, the FWC said.

Ponte Vedra Beach remains a key nesting corridor

The milestone carries weight along Ponte Vedra Beach, one of St. Johns County's most active nesting corridors. St. Johns County is renewing its Habitat Conservation Plan, which balances public beach access with protection of federally listed species, including nesting sea turtles. More than 1,000 residents responded to a county survey on beach management practices, with strong support for conservation efforts, St. Johns County said Sunday.

The Mickler's Landing Turtle Patrol, which operates under an FWC permit, held a public green sea turtle nest evaluation Sept. 3 at a nest 0.72 mile north of Mickler's Landing.

Leatherbacks could also set a record

Leatherback turtles could also set a statewide record. The FWC documented 2,209 preliminary leatherback nests, a figure that would be a record if confirmed during final data review. Green turtles added 50,815 nests statewide, and the FWC said 2026 is on pace to be another strong season for the species, whose numbers fluctuate year to year.

Among rarer species, Kemp's ridley turtles had 15 confirmed nests. Florida also recorded its first confirmed olive ridley nest in 2026, which the FWC called one of the season's most remarkable discoveries. No hawksbill nests were recorded.

How beachgoers can help nesting turtles

All sea turtles in Florida are listed as threatened or endangered. Nesting season runs through October, and the FWC urged beachgoers to keep beaches clear, clean and dark. That means taking gear home at the end of the day, filling in holes dug in the sand, disposing of trash, recycling fishing line and keeping lights off at night along the shore.

Anyone who finds a stranded, trapped or injured sea turtle or hatchling should call the FWC's 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 rather than handle the animal. Hatchlings washed ashore after storms need specialized care and should not be placed back in the ocean, the FWC said.

Nesting season continues through Oct. 31 in St. Johns County.