Environmental Times Spring 2021 - Volume 26 Issue 1 Published by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management
Protecting Palm Beach County’s Nesting Sea Turtles & Hatchlings From Too Much Light
SEA TURTLE-FRIENDLY LIGHTING
Palm Beach County beaches attract a lot of nesting sea turtles. In 2020 the county recorded over 36,000 nests, making it one of the most densely nested coastlines in the state. Sea turtles typically nest at night and prefer beach locations that are dark and follow proper sea turtle lighting standards. The Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of coastal lighting regulations in unincorporated areas and municipalities that fall under the jurisdiction of ULDC Article 14, Chapter A, Sea Turtle Protection and Sand Preservation. ERM monitors 10 municipalities with more than 300 properties along 14 miles of shoreline to ensure artificial lighting, that may disrupt nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, is not visible from the beach.
SHIELDED LIGHT: fixtures that are downward directed, meet or exceed full cutoff that shield bulbs from being directly visible
To expand on these efforts and raise awareness for sea turtle conservation, ERM partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to host a free virtual sea turtle lighting workshop for code enforcement, building professionals, oceanfront property management and residents of Palm Beach County’s coastal communities on March 11, 2021. More than 100 participants attended to learn about best management practices for lighting on sea turtle nesting beaches and the Palm Beach County sea turtle lighting ordinance regulations. Turning off unnecessary interior and exterior lights is the simplest, most effective and energy efficient solution to preventing sea turtle disorientations. In situations where lighting is required for human safety and security, low mounted, shielded fixtures equipped with long wavelength light sources are the sea turtle-friendly choice.
LOW LIGHT: fixtures mounted low to the ground and use lowest wattage necessary
ERM staff have been completing lighting compliance surveys since March and continues to coordinate with properties in order to reduce ambient lighting, especially those associated with pools and common areas at larger resorts and condominiums. As an example, multiple properties on Singer Island have added red light sources to pools and exterior common areas in an effort to eliminate bright white light sources that reflect off of buildings. Fixes like these are often easy, cost effective and have provided significant improvements for coastal properties. Learn more about Palm Beach County’s sea turtles here: https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/Sea-Turtle.aspx
LONG WAVELENGTH LIGHT: bulbs produce long wavelength (greater than 570 nm) such as amber, orange or red LED
By Teal Kawana
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER