By Laurin Penland
Wilmington, NC – As spring slides into summer, sea turtles will return to North Carolina's shores to nest. One turtle advocate group says there will be fewer turtles for the 5th year in a row.
Marine Biologist KerriLynn Miller says sea turtle numbers are down by about 40% in the past decade. More than 600 sea turtles nested on North Carolina's shores last year.
"We're hoping for a good year, but you just never know. Unless we get permanent protections both on land and in the water, it's going to be a continued decline unfortunately."
Miller says beach goers can help turtles have a successful nesting season by picking up trash and turning off lights near the beach.
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