After passing the halfway mark for sea turtle season on the Alabama Gulf Coast, 18 nests have hatched so far out of the 88 documented by sea turtle conservation program Share the Beach.

Share the Beach Director Rachael Holdsworth said this season is on track for typical sea turtle nesting in the area.

According to previous GCM reporting, July is one of the busier nesting months. Compared to data in a GCM article from the beginning of July, 40 new nests have been reported since the end of June.

The number of nests this year has already surpassed last year's 78 nests. 2023 saw 143 nests.

Four of the 88 nests have been determined to be Kemp's Ridley nests, while 84 have been Loggerhead nests, Holdsworth said. The other sea turtle species commonly found on the Alabama Gulf Coast are green sea turtles, of which no nests have been reported yet this year.

As of Aug. 4, Holdsworth said there have been 124 false crawls, which is when a sea turtle "comes ashore but does not nest." False crawls have almost doubled since the end of June when there were 63 instances.

"Many of these [false crawls] have been linked to human activity on the beach," she said. "… Nesting activity tends to be higher on beaches with less human presence at night."

Each of these sea turtle species commonly found in the area are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which means it is illegal to take, touch or even interfere with these federally protected sea turtles. A violation can result in up to a $100,000 fine.

There has been one instance of human interference with a nest this year. Holdsworth said a vandalized nest in Orange Beach is currently under investigation.

She said there are "no further details are available at this time."

If you spot a nesting sea turtle, keep your distance, keep quiet and keep flashlights — and cell phone lights — off. To report a sea turtle sighting or nest location call 866-SEA-TURTLE (866-732-8878).

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 to Oct. 31 each year. During this time, sea turtle sightings, nests and hatchings can all be expected.

"Everyone can help protect nesting and hatchling sea turtles by keeping the beach clean, dark and flat, as nature intended," Holdsworth said.

The period to apply as a Share the Beach volunteer is currently closed for this season, but be sure to check out the volunteer section on Alabama Coastal Foundation's website for new opportunities and more information.

Year-round donations are accepted by the Alabama Coastal Foundation, the organization which Share the Beach is organized through. Share the Beach offers donation opportunities to Adopt-A-Nest or sponsor a hatchling on www.joinacf.org/donate.