From the Beach

Marine Turtle Nesting Season Is Underway

From Code Compliance — Sea Turtle Nesting Season officially occurs in Miami-Dade County every year from May 1st through October 31st. However, those dates can be slightly misleading as we typically see nesting activity taking place before these dates. “Lighting Regulations for Marine Turtle Protection” is in effect during this time.

Little hatchlings are attracted to the brightest lights; therefore, this regulation intends for the most glowing light to be the ocean horizon over the land, so baby turtles crawl towards the ocean.

In developed areas facing the sea, artificial light from buildings disorients hatchlings and attracts them away from the ocean. Turtlefriendly lighting reduces disorientation and makes for a better success rate. Everyone must do their part to ensure a successful nesting season.

Make sure you:

Exterior Lighting Checklist

• Light fixtures must be positioned so that the point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not visible from the beach or otherwise illuminating the beach.

• All bulbs must be amber or red LED bulbs with long wavelength bulbs; lowpressure sodium bulbs, turtle safe lighting coated compact fluorescent bulbs; fiber optic lighting or true red neon.

• Fixtures must have opaque shields so that the light source is not visible from the fixture’s north, east, and south sides.

• Lights are positioned downward and away from the beach.

• Lights illuminating buildings or associated grounds for decorative purposes are positioned so light is directed downward and shielded or screened so that the light sources are not visible from the beach or are turned off between sunset to sunrise during turtle nesting season.

Interior Lighting Checklist

One or more of the following measures shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of interior light emanating from doors and windows within line-of-sight of the beach:

• Apply window tint or film.

• Rearrange lamps and other moveable fixtures away from windows.

• Use window treatments (e.g., blinds, curtains) to shield interior lights from the beach.

• Turn off unnecessary lights.