Sea turtle nesting and hatching season in Pinellas County runs May 1 through October 31. Lights and illuminated objects visible from the beach can disorient turtles, especially hatchlings. Pinellas County advises limiting beach-visible light during the season and turning off lights visible from the beach after sunset.
Who sets the guidance. FWC provides general sea turtle lighting guidelines for property owners next to nesting beaches. FWC says the guidelines are specifically designed to help property owners who must avoid or minimize lighting impacts under state permits such as Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) permits and Environmental Resource Permits (ERP). Pinellas County reports that 12 of the 13 barrier-island municipalities have lighting ordinances. Ordinance details can differ, so check the code for the city where the property is located; the county directs readers to FWC’s sea turtle ordinance listings.
The three rules of turtle-friendly lighting. FWC’s guidelines say to keep lighting:
- LOW: Mount fixtures as low as practical and use the lowest wattage or lumens needed.
- LONG: Use only long-wavelength light of 560 nanometers or greater, such as amber, orange, or red.
- SHIELDED: Direct fixtures downward and shield the bulb, lamp, or glowing lens from the beach.
FWC recommends turning off unnecessary and decorative lights visible from the beach. For lights needed for safety or security, FWC advises modifying them to meet the three rules rather than turning them off if doing so would create a safety hazard. Options include changing to a long-wavelength bulb, adding shielding, repositioning the fixture downward and away from the beach, or using a motion sensor.
FWC also describes tint meeting 45% or less inside-to-outside light transmittance for glass and other non-opaque windows, doors, or railings. Check any applicable permit conditions and local requirements for the property.
Practical steps for beachfront properties and visitors.
- Use low-level, downward-directed amber, orange, or red lighting that is shielded from the beach. FWC-certified wildlife lighting incorporates the three guidelines.
- Use blinds or curtains to shield interior light from the beach, and consider window tint as described above.
- During May 1 through October 31, limit light visible from the beach and turn off beach-visible lights after sunset, as Pinellas County advises. Keep necessary safety lighting appropriately modified.
- Do not harass or touch sea turtles or hatchlings. Pick up trash and fill in holes to help keep their path to the ocean clear.
If you find a sea turtle in need of help, Pinellas County lists the FWC at (888) 404-3922 and Clearwater Marine Aquarium at (727) 441-1790, extension 1. The county also lists the FWC number for reporting injured or dead marine mammals and sea turtles. unverified