05/04/2023
Woohoo!! It’s now officially sea turtle season! So what does that mean?
Well most importantly, it is now illegal to have artificial light visible on beaches at night in Brevard County (from 9 pm-5 am).
Why?
Artificial light from a cell phone, flashlight, condo, house, hotel, or incorrectly pointed street light impacts sea turtle nesting negatively. For instance, momma loggerhead or green sea turtles are easily scared off from seeing artificial light or movement (think shadow) from artificial light. If a mom is scared off enough times, she may dump her eggs in the ocean or even on the beach. Each year, thousands of newly hatched sea turtle babies (hatchlings) get disoriented by artificial light and go the wrong way. They often crawl into the dune and onto A1A and get run over. Extra time crawling around on the beach also takes needed energy from these baby sea turtles. The longer hatchlings are on the beach, the more likely they are to be predated by raccoons, crabs, and ants.
So, it’s that time of year again. Even though we should keep artificial lights off on the beach year-round, we must do it during nesting season. Some scientists say that the number one way you can help sea turtles survive is just keep them in the dark.
We must do our best to spread awareness about sea turtle season and how we humans unknowingly impact them. We have to explain to our new neighbors that you have to remove your beach furniture at night, you should fill in your beach holes and knock down sand castles before leaving the beach. Everyone living directly on the beach must remember to close their blinds at night.
Saving sea turtles can be really simple. Just keep the beaches Clean! Flat! & Dark! 🐢
