With high tides and dangerous surf expected this weekend, authorities decided to relocate sea turtle eggs found in Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. A team of biologists transferred the olive ridley sea turtle eggs to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for safety.
These nests, discovered on September 16 in Seal Beach and September 19 in Huntington Beach, mark the first known naturally occurring sea turtle nests on the U.S. West Coast. The eggs will incubate at the aquarium for 45 to 60 days and are expected to hatch in early November if viable.
The olive ridley sea turtles, which are listed as threatened, typically nest in more tropical regions. The nests were located in high-traffic areas, with the Huntington Beach nest near an upcoming airshow and the Seal Beach nest close to planned sand berms for winter storms. Coordination with local event organizers is ongoing to ensure the safety of the nests.
