Lights Out For Sea Turtles

Viera, FL - Thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles nest on Brevard County’s beaches each year. Toward the end of June, hatchlings begin to emerge from their nests and orient themselves toward the brightest visible horizon in an attempt to find the sea. Lights from beachfront structures that shine or reflect onto the beach disrupt this instinctive process and disorient the hatchlings, causing them to crawl toward the artificial light instead of crawling to the sea. Disoriented hatchlings often get tangled in dune vegetation, eaten by predators, flattened by vehicles, or die from exhaustion or dehydration.  Even those who eventually find the ocean may have used up so much energy on the beach that they die before they find food.  It is estimated that only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings manages to survive to adulthood.

To prevent hatchling disorientation, all indoor and exterior lights that are visible from the beach should be shielded, repositioned, replaced, or turned off after 9 p.m. during sea turtle season.  Because adult nesting females can also be disoriented by improper lighting, lighting ordinances apply from May 1 through October 31.

Brevard County and the beachfront municipalities have lighting ordinances in place to regulate beachfront lights.  County code enforcement officers actively patrol the unincorporated beaches during nesting season to ensure compliance.  Beginning May 1, part-time marine turtle lighting compliance surveyors funded through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association restoration project will be on the beach documenting visible lights. Survey data collected in local municipalities is provided to the proper authority for education and/or enforcement.

For questions regarding beachfront lighting, copies of educational brochures, a demonstration of turtle-friendly lighting fixtures, or to discuss available lighting options, please call 321-633-2016 ext. 52431 or email paula.berntson@brevardcounty.us.

Date: May 1 through October 31.