Solutions to decrease the effects of beach lighting on sea turtles

Unrestricted use of lighting and vegetation clearing on beach areas threaten sea turtles during nesting season. Nesting female turtles and hatchlings do become disorientated by unrestricted light causing mortality. Nesting females may be deterred from emerging from the sea onto beaches where uncontrolled lighting is present. This may cause her to abort eggs at sea. Residents, developers, government agencies and the public can lessen these impacts by modifying beach front lighting and adopting sensible land use practices.

Recommendations for reducing the impact of light pollution problems on sea turtle nesting beaches

• Turn off lights that are not in use.
• Close curtains to obscure internal lights from the beach.
  
• Reduce the wattage of problem lighting.
• Substitute light fixtures that are better focused so that light is directed where it is needed.
• Shield light fixtures from the nesting beach.
• Replace pole mounted lights with low level fixtures.
• Install timers to switch off lighting when no longer needed.
• Install motion detection switches for security lighting.
• Substitute high intensity fluorescent and white mercury vapour lights with the lowest wattage low-pressure sodium vapour lighting or yellow bug lights of 50 watts or less.
• Replace conspicuous lighting on beach access areas such as walkways with hidden light emitting diode type lights.
• Preserve and restore native dune vegetation as a screen.
• Maintain adequate natural buffer zone between development and the beach.
• No fires or torches used on beaches after dark during sea turtle nesting season.
• There should be no vehicle access to beach areas other than those granted a permit.

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Citation and/or URL

Mackay Turtlewatch website

http://www.mackayturtles.org.au/lighting.htm 

Spatial Coverage

Mackay region - Seaforth to Clareview 

Temporal Coverage

Greater than 10 years 

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

 See also the effects of lighting on turtle hatchlings