Sea Turtle Nesting Season Rapidly Approaching

By  //  April 22, 2013

Ordinances Restrict Artificial Lighting

(ABOVE VIDEO: ChucksWorldofFishing) Watch this video to see why any holes dug below high tide line should be filled in before leaving the beach.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE BEACH, FLORIDA – Lights out for sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and so now is the time for property owners and businesses along the coast to make sure they are in compliance with Brevard County and city lighting ordinances.

STPS-Logo1Lighting restrictions are in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31. During this time, no artificial lighting sources can be visible from or illuminate the beach at night.

Artificial lights can discourage female turtles from nesting on the beach and can cause hatchlings to become disoriented. Because of past compliance, Brevard County has had very few instances of problems.

Property owners along the coast should make sure their light fixtures are positioned, shielded or modified so the light source and any reflective surfaces of the fixture are not visible by someone standing on the beach, according to the various ordinances. It also is important to eliminate the effect of interior lights shining through doors and windows onto the beach.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO DISTURB NESTS

There are several way to reduce the amount of light coming from inside a home or business to include moving lamps and other moveable fixtures away from windows, using blinds and curtains, turning off unnecessary lights, and applying window tint.

The Brevard County coast is the largest nesting area in the United States for both Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles. (Shutterstock image)
The Brevard County coast is the largest nesting area in the United States for both Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles. (Shutterstock image)

Property owners also should recheck their lighting – even if they were in compliance last year. Sometimes the topography of the beach has changed and lights that were in compliance before may not be in compliance now.

Beach goers are also requested not to dig hole in the sand above the high tide line. Digging can destroy nests and trap nest sea turtles and hatchlings. Any holes dug below high tide line should be filled in before leaving the beach.

It is important to note that the Brevard County coast is the largest nesting area in the United States for both Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles.

If you have questions please feel call the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-676-1701 or send an e-mail to stps@seaturtlespacecoast.org.