First-Ever Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Nested in California

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By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov.

An olive ridley sea turtle was observed digging a nest and laying eggs on the beach near Seal Beach, in Orange County, California on September 16, 2026. This is the first-ever recorded nest for any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast. The nesting female was discovered about 3 p.m. by a beachgoer who alerted the Huntington Beach life guards. Three days later and about 8 miles away, a second turtle was observed around 7 p.m. nesting near the Huntington Beach Pier.
A cooler of turtle eggs is transferred to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
A cooler of turtle eggs is transferred to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Due to forecasted high surf resulting from tropical storms off Mexico, a team of scientists from federal and state agencies collected the eggs and transferred them to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on September 25. The eggs will be under the care of Aquarium staff during their incubation period. If they successfully hatch, the young turtles will be released on the beaches where the eggs were laid to make their journey across the sand to the ocean.

How We Monitored the Nests

A large team—local, state, and federal agencies, alongside public aquaria, local community organizations and educational groups— worked together. Both areas were fenced, roped off, and had interpretive signage. The Cities of Huntington Beach and Seal Beach conducted extra patrols and surveilled the sites. We closely monitored tide, storm, and surf forecasts and determined that transferring the 100–200 eggs gave them the highest chance of survival.

We are also on the lookout for additional nesting events. Each olive ridley will typically nest 2–3 times during the season, about 2 weeks apart and in the same general area. We are also working with local partners to collect scientific information, aid in monitoring the sites, and share information with the public.

 

Read the full article here: First-Ever Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Nested in California
Originally  published on 25 September, 2026.

Olive ridley sea turtle near Seal Beach in Orange County, CA. Credit: Huntington Beach Fire Department
Olive ridley sea turtle near Seal Beach in Orange County, CA. Credit: Huntington Beach Fire Department