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Sea Turtle Monitoring
The North Carolina Sea Turtle Protection Project is administered by the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission’s (NCWRC’s) Wildlife Diversity Program and contributes to ongoing sea turtle nest management and protection projects on all of the state's beaches. Loggerheads, green turtles, leatherbacks and rarely Kemp’s ridleys sea turtle nests have been recorded on North Carolina beaches - the most common nesting species by far is the loggerhead (Caretta caretta). Nesting surveys and nest protection measures in the State are administered by a variety of public agencies such as the U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Marine Corps, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. Several private organizations and numerous volunteers are also actively involved with sea turtle protection work, including some very robust volunteer efforts along Bogue Banks. The data obtained from nesting surveys are utilized to monitor populations, formulate protective regulations, make management decisions, and maximize reproduction.
If you see turtle nests that are unmarked, stranded sea turtles, evidence of nest disturbances, or other endangered or threatened wildlife, then please call (252) 241-7367 and leave a number where you can be reached. Local authorities (police, beach patrol, park personnel) can also be of assistance as can the various volunteer groups.
Permit stipulations for the three-phased Bogue Banks Restoration Project constructed in the mid-2000s included its own distinct nesting monitoring program that was administered by the NCWRC as well. The complete suite of reports for this six-year effort (2002-07) and a summary sheet for the 1996-2020 nesting seasons are available below.
Summary Sheet (1996 – 2021)
If you see turtle nests that are unmarked, stranded sea turtles, evidence of nest disturbances, or other endangered or threatened wildlife, then please call (252) 241-7367 and leave a number where you can be reached. Local authorities (police, beach patrol, park personnel) can also be of assistance as can the various volunteer groups.
Permit stipulations for the three-phased Bogue Banks Restoration Project constructed in the mid-2000s included its own distinct nesting monitoring program that was administered by the NCWRC as well. The complete suite of reports for this six-year effort (2002-07) and a summary sheet for the 1996-2020 nesting seasons are available below.
Summary Sheet (1996 – 2021)