The Florida Legislature decided to designate the Loggerhead sea turtle as the official Florida Saltwater Reptile recently.  It joins a list including an official saltwater fish (Atlantic sailfish), freshwater fish (Largemouth bass), reptile (American Alligator), flower (Orange blossom), and of course, song (Old Folks at Home).  The designation is meant to help recognize the threats faced by this important species. Ninety percent of all nesting of Loggerheads within the United States occurs in Florida.  According to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, nest counts of Loggerhead sea turtles, the most common kind in Florida, have declined thirty-seven percent over the last 19 years. The species, alongside several other sea turtle species, continues to be threatened by habitat encroachment, illegal harvesting, pollution, including light pollution, and many other man-created obstacles.  

Read more about designation and protection at the FWC site:

http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_SeaTurtleSymbol.htm

The List of Official Florida Symbols:

http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/fl_symb.htm

The FWC has even more information on threats, prevention, and more:http://research.myfwc.com/features/category_main.asp?id=1289