In a First, Sea Turtles Were Spotted Nesting on the U.S. West Coast. Scientists Say the 'Super' El Niño Could Have Brought Them There
Two olive ridley turtles were found laying eggs on beaches in Southern California in September. In the Pacific Ocean, these reptiles normally nest farther south, often in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
This month, the U.S. West Coast made history by hosting its first-ever recorded instances of sea turtles nesting on its beaches. Two olive ridley turtles, known to typically nest in warmer tropical waters, were spotted laying eggs near Seal Beach in Orange County and Huntington Beach Pier in California. Jeff Flocken, President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific, expressed excitement over this unprecedented event, noting that no such nesting had ever been recorded on California beaches before.
Marine ecologist Jeff Seminoff suggested that the "super" El Niño, a natural climate swing, might have played a significant role in the turtles' unusual migration. Olive ridleys, the smallest sea turtles with adults weighing up to 100 pounds and growing to around 2.5 feet long, are among the most abundant and widespread sea turtle species.
However, their populations have significantly declined compared to their estimated historical numbers, once estimated to be as high as ten million in the Pacific Ocean. Authorities have fenced off the nesting sites and are closely monitoring them during their 45- to 60-day incubation periods. Despite the protective measures, the turtles face threats such as cold temperatures and potential inundation from high tides.
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