RESTAURANTS

CELEBRATE THE TURTLES WITH US.

SEATURTLES ARE ON THEIR WAY!

For the past 30+ years, a local group called the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) has played an important role in the conservation of the sea turtles that swim and feed around the island. Sea turtles play vital roles in the health of the Gulf of Mexico and the shoreline of the island. The turtles transport nutrients, support other marine life, and help stabilize dunes. Their staff and volunteers work tirelessly from May through October to collect data and protect the turtles and their eggs. Through public education and cooperation, turtle numbers are slowly rebounding.

Public cooperation, especially from waterfront homes and businesses, is one key to these conservation measures. Locally our restaurants, the Sandbar in Anna Maria and the Beach House in Bradenton Beach take great pride in their efforts to support marine life.

From May through October, lightbulbs are replaced with low-wattage lighting. Drapes are utilized at the restaurants to eliminate unnecessary lighting that may reach the shoreline. Signs are posted as a reminder to turn off the lights and regular trainings educate the staff about the importance of keeping the trash off the beach. featuring turtles and sea life. The mural is located near the street entrance on a commercial property that the restaurant owns. Environmental and clean water initiatives are a part of the culture of the restaurant and the mural highlights some of the sea life and beautiful sunsets that the Sandbar and Beach House are so well known for with visitors.

Beach-goers can also do their part by not parking on sand that may contain turtle nests, cleaning up their trash when leaving the beach and filling in any holes created in the sand so that turtles don’t fall in and become trapped as they make their way to the water.

According to the AMITW website, “proactive conservation measures are needed to protect sea turtles and rebuild their populations to healthy levels so they can achieve the full extent of their historic roles. At historic levels, sea turtles will help restore the health of our Gulf of Mexico.”

The importance of sea turtles in the ecosystem:

• They help maintain balance food web • They keep coral reefs healthy • They keep seagrass beds healthy