Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta caretta) were common in Key Biscayne. They could usually be seen feeding on sea grasses. The turtles were listed as endangered in 1978 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Florida makes up ninety one percent of the loggerhead nesting area. Loggerhead turtles are migratory animals, dwelling on invertebrates, such as mollusks and crabs, and sometimes fish.

In Florida, hunters would capture up to twenty or more turtles in a day, each weighing up to 300 pounds. This is what contributed to the drastic reduction in see turtles. Even though each turtle can lay up to 190 eggs, only 1 out of 1000 hatchlings will reach maturity. It is because of this and other factors that the turtles became protected in the United Stated, in the late 1960’s. The nesting seasons for the turtles in Florida are from April to September, and the beaches of Key Biscayne are where they gather.

Even though the turtles are protected, there are less gathering on these shores due to an increase in demand for sea turtle meat, leather, shell, oil, eggs and loss of habitat due to urban development along the coasts. And the most harmful is the increase in egg poachers.
If the beaches of Key Biscayne were to be closed for the breeding season the damages caused to the turtle’s nests by beach goers would be less severe. Adding to the fact that the turtles have a low chance of survival after the eggs are hatched, beach goers often harm the nesting areas or steal the eggs. The placement of physical obstacles on a beach, for example umbrellas, can break the eggs. Other objects left there can hamper nesting attempts as well as interfere with incubating eggs and the sea approach of hatchlings. Digging up the sand may leave the eggs exposed to predator and change in temperature. The use of off-road vehicles on beaches is a serious problem in many areas. It may result in decreased hatchling success due to sand compaction, or directly kill hatchlings. Tire ruts may also interfere with the ability of hatchlings to get to the ocean.

Even though the beaches would be closed, there are many other places for tourists to visit in and around Key Biscayne, for example, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area, Coco Walk, there are place where you can search the endless mangrove forests and look at birds, reptiles and other animals. There are also many restaurants, nightclubs and shopping malls in the area. There are many other activities to be done in the ocean without coming in contact with the beach. These include snorkeling, sailing, scubadiving, the possibilities are endless. Eco-adventure is another opportunity to interact with nature. They provide tours of south Florida’s ecosystems which include the hammocks, pinelands, wetlands and mangrove forests. Adjacent to these parks are home to a diverse array of flora, fauna and marine life.

The closing of these beaches would increase the amount of loggerhead turtle hatchlings and therefore the survival rate and the number of turtles reaching maturity. Beaches would be closed every other year to accommodate nesting. Businesses in the area would be affected but not to the extent of loosing everything.