All sea turtles are federally protected, so touching, collecting, harassing, or hunting sea turtles is highly illegal. Besides that, when a sea turtle is trying to lay their eggs or coming onto the beach, if they are messed with, they will become stressed and leave the beach. This means they have to make the arduous trek back up the beach at another time. These turtles aren’t made for beach combing and it takes a lot of energy out of them.