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Advisory committee urges residents to reduce beachfront lighting as sea turtle and shorebird nesting begins
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Summary
At a Fort Myers Beach advisory committee meeting, staff and wildlife biologists urged residents and contractors to use long-wavelength, shielded lighting and other measures to avoid disorienting nesting sea turtles and shorebirds; committee members discussed outreach tools and volunteer help.
The Advisory Committee of the Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force for the Town of Fort Myers Beach heard an update from town staff and wildlife officials on the start of sea turtle and shorebird nesting season and was urged to press residents and contractors to reduce beachfront lighting and shield fixtures.
Committee members were told the town hosts four endangered shorebird species and sea turtles nesting concurrently, making lighting and human activity management locally important. Chad (staff member) said May 1 marked “the official day of sea turtle nesting season” and outlined specific lighting guidance for beachfront and visible exterior lights.
Chad said fixtures should be long-wavelength, downward-directed and shielded and explained the technical threshold: “Long wavelength means that it is a, only admitting, the light wavelength that is greater than 560 nanometers,” adding that interior lights should be darkened with blackout curtains or temporary shades to prevent hatchling disorientation. He also said the town’s code defines nighttime as “from sunset to sunrise.”
Brianna Frankel, Southwest Critical Wildlife Area biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told the committee that some colonies had not fully returned: “Only about a third of the least tern colony has returned thus far,” and for black skimmers “only about 10% of their colony has returned, and they haven’t started nesting yet.” Frankel said posting and roping of nesting areas remains important and managers will shrink or reconfigure protected areas when safe for birds.
Committee members discussed practical outreach tools. Chad said Turtle Time supplies a blue-film viewer that residents can use to check whether a light is visible from the beach and offered to follow up to obtain or distribute that film. He also recommended motion detectors, temporary paper shades for contractors, and long-wavelength screw-in bulbs for rentals and residences; he invited residents to contact him with questions.
The committee and staff reiterated that renters and contractors are the property owner’s responsibility for compliance with lighting requirements during nesting season and encouraged posting notices to contractors in writing. The group also discussed monitoring needs and the use of additional bird monitors on projects affecting the beach.
The advisory committee did not take a formal vote on regulations but agreed to continue outreach and education during nesting season. Staff offered to provide more materials and follow up with local conservation groups to support compliance.
