Thanks to the owners of businesses, hotels, condos and homes on the beach and downtown whom have spent money and time to make sure that their property’s lights are retrofitted and operating correctly to go dark for the sea turtles during nesting season. (The season began May 1 and lasts through October.)
Mama turtles and their newborn hatchlings need DARK to stay oriented toward the ocean. Disorientations of turtles due to improper lighting or other harmful actions by humans can result in a fine up to $5,000, because sea turtles are protected by law.
In general, lighting must be downward directed, have a long wavelength bulb, and be shielded. Read more about lighting requirements: https://myfwc.com/me…/18511/seaturtle-lightingguidelines.pdf
It’s a big team effort each year during nesting season to make sure every building and light on the beach is dark for the turtles. Town staff and property owners work together with Turtle Time volunteers to accomplish this. Visit turtletime.org to learn more.
Proper lighting is available for purchase from the Town for $12. Contact Chadd by phone at 239-765-0202 ext. 1312 or by email at chadd@fmbgov.com. Frontier lighting in Fort Myers also sells proper lighting, here is a link to Frontier’s website: https://tinyurl.com/ycj9xwtr. Proper lights must have the official wildlife certification sticker.
Questions? Contact Chadd by email or phone.
