Sea Turtles
and Lights
Light
pollution created by coastal development continues to be the single greatest
threat to the local population of sea turtles.
Artificial light degrades sea
turtle nesting habitat, interferes with the sea-finding ability of hatchlings,
and may deter female sea turtles from nesting. Sea turtle hatchlings
disoriented or confused by light from upland properties often die from
exhaustion, dehydration or are eaten by predators before finding the relative
safety of the gulf waters.
Simple ways
you can protect sea turtles.
-
Outside lights -
turn off,
shield or
otherwise modify so that they are not visible from the beach.
-
Portable lighting
– do not use flashlights, flash photography, fishing lamps or other transient
lighting on the beach after dark.
-
Draperies
– close curtains and blinds, move interior lamps away from the windows.
-
Beach furniture and other
equipment or toys -
remove from the beach each night or store in a safe location far away from the
shoreline.
-
Campfires and motor vehicles
– are not permitted on the beach.
-
Pets -
keep them on a leash if allowed on the beach.
-
Garbage -
“pitch in” and pick it up.
For a
selection of exterior lighting fixtures that have received the state and federal
Wildlife Lighting Certification, visit:
Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife: Lighting
Wildlife Lighting Certification does
not guarantee local approval.
Got Beach Furniture?
Beach
furniture and other items left on the beach overnight during sea turtle nesting
season pose a serious entanglement hazard or obstacle for nesting and hatchling
sea turtles. The Marine Turtle Protection Code requires nightly removal of
recreational beach items. However, qualified properties may apply for a
Recreational Use Agreement (RUA) that allows for storage of beach
furniture, tents, cabanas and other recreational items on the beach overnight
during the sea turtle nesting season (May 1 – Oct. 31).
Hard copies
of the documents below are available from Sarasota
County Natural Resources. For details call the Sarasota County Call Center at
941-861-5000 and ask for the Sea Turtle Protection Program.
Beach Furniture
and Sea Turtles Information
Recreational Use
Agreement Application
