In 1995, a statewide effort was initiated by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to establish a Florida Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate to provide a permanent funding source for the state’s Marine Turtle Protection Program. Thanks to the efforts of STC and other Florida sea turtle groups, in 1997, the Florida Legislature (Statute 320.08058 (19)) authorized the creation of a Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate to promote the conservation and protection of Florida’s sea turtles.

The Florida Sea Turtle License Plate Grants Program is supported by the purchase of a Florida Sea Turtle Specialty Tag. Proceeds generated by sales of the turtle plate go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Turtle Protection Program, to support research and management activities related to Florida’s sea turtles, and a portion goes to the Sea Turtle Conservancy to redistribute the funds through a competitive grants program to support turtle projects in the areas of research, education and conservation that benefit Florida sea turtles.

The Sea Turtle License Plate was first offered for sale in February 1998 and quickly became one of the most popular specialty plates in Florida, raising over $1 million annually. At just $23.00 per tag, the turtle plate is also one of the more moderately priced specialty plates in Florida.