Markings on Fort Myers Beach in the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area show where endangered loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings embarked from their nest into the Gulf of Mexico. Photo provided

With a number of disorientations of endangered sea turtle hatchlings this summer, the Town of Fort Myers Beach is urging residents and visitors to remember to close blinds at night and turn off outdoor lights and limit unnecessary lights indoors.

Between May 1 and July 31, the town issued 220 warnings for lighting violations. Of those violations, the town issued 44 citations with a total of $19,050 in fines, Town of Fort Myers Beach Environmental Project Manager Chadd Chustz said. The town charges $250 for the first citation and $500 for additional violations for the same property.

Last week, Turtle Time, Inc., the organization that monitors sea turtle nesting season on Fort Myers Beach, reported that some hatchlings were found under condos and houses because the property’s lights disoriented them. Some were rescued but it is believed many likely perished due to predators, exhaustion, and dehydration.

The town’s current ordinance to protect endangered sea turtles during nesting season, requires that curtains be drawn at 9 p.m. and that interior lights be drawn away from windows.

Turtle Time founder Eve Haverfield said there have been seven disorientations of hatchlings since July.

Turtle Time rescued 15 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings on Fort Myers Beach after a recent disorientation. File Photo

The organization’s volunteers have documented the disorientations based on the tracks of the hatchlings away from the Gulf of Mexico towards buildings. In one case, the volunteers were able to save 15 hatchlings who had been disorientated but not as lucky in others.

“Hatchlings are disorientated by both interior and exterior lights,” Haverfield said. Haverfield said that while most homeowners and condominium associations observe the lighting ordinance, those staying on the beach for vacations are not always closing their curtains.

“This is preventable,” Haverfield said. “This doesn’t need to happen.”

Haverfield said she believes a 15% tinting requirement for new window construction would also help. The town council passed an ordinance requiring the tinting but is planning to discuss rolling back the requirement to 45% at its next meeting Monday.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is urging those living or visiting the beach, to turn off unnecessary lights indoors and outdoors after sunset. Outdoor lights must be shielded amber lights that are downward directed. The town is asking property owners and managers of beachfront properties to turn off unnecessary outside lights and/or convert exterior lights to long wavelength bulbs in downward directed fixtures that shield the bulbs from the beach.

Loggerhead sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act, and The Town of Fort Myers Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Code. The Town considers disorientations of sea turtle hatchlings from man-made lights as an irreparable and irreversible violation with a fine of up to $5,000.

On Fort Myers Beach, there have been 108 sea turtle nests this season, with 31 hatched and 16 failing to hatch due to impacts from storms.

Last year, there were 87 sea turtle nests recorded on Fort Myers Beach though Turtle Time compares nesting data every two years bases on nesting habits, In 2020, there was a record 132 sea turtle nests on Fort Myers Beach.

Bonita Beach has enjoyed greater success this year, already hitting a record with 283 nests, surpassing their previous record of 238 nests. Bonita Beach is not as flat as Fort Myers Beach, has more vegetation and less raking.

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