Two men were arrested Wednesday after Florida state investigators reported finding them with about 500 sea turtle eggs, a state spokeswoman said.

Raymond Saunders and Carl Cobb of Riviera Beach were arrested on felony charges of possession of more than 11 marine turtle species/eggs and illegal taking or disturbing of a marine species turtle nest, said Carol Lyn Parrish, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission public information coordinator.

The two men were observed in a rural beach area of North Hutchinson Island. A tip from a nest watch volunteer led to the arrests.

“Those subjects were observed taking sea turtle eggs out of a sea turtle nest,” Parrish said.

After receiving the tip, Parrish said FWC officials observed the men on the beach just north of Blind Creek Beach.

The eggs recovered Wednesday are thought to be loggerhead turtle eggs.

Loggerheads are the most commonly encountered nesting sea turtles on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Nesting season is March through October.

In 2016, loggerheads laid a record 27,413 nests on the Treasure Coast — comprising Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties — and 122,706 statewide, also a record, according to the FWC.

Sea turtle experts reburied the eggs with the hope that they can be hatched.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is listed as the lead agency or a cooperating agency in the implementation of 91 of 255 recovery plan tasks identified as necessary to promote recovery of all species of sea turtles. FWC has established a marine turtle program to monitor nesting activity, document mortalities statewide, conduct research on the biology of the various species, and provide data for managing and evaluating coastal development effects. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute staff members are involved in numerous efforts to promote sea turtle recovery.

Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution are only some of the things sea turtles must face as each species struggles to stay alive. Researchers at FWRI are studying these threats and finding ways to help the population survive.

In July 2016, FWC arrested 49-year-old Glenn Robert Shaw of Tequesta for allegedly stealing 107 eggs from a nest behind a Jupiter Island home.

These cases, Parrish said, shows the importance of the public remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity.

People who suspect illegal activity or see injured wildlife can call Florida Fish and Wildlife’s 24-hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

Source: Sport Diver