State biologist warns artificial beachfront lights misorient sea turtles; Wrightsville Beach committee moves to draft lighting rules

Matthew Godfrey, the state sea turtle biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, told the Wrightsville Beach Lighting Ad Hoc Committee on Feb. 10 that artificial beachfront and pier lighting can misorient nesting females and hatchlings by altering horizon brightness, and that studies show misorientation increases with brighter, shorter‑wavelength (bluer) light.

The committee, made up of members Neal Briggi, Zeke Partin, Catherine Brunjes and Jim Smith, and staff member Robert O’Quinn, directed staff to draft ordinance language requiring turtle‑friendly lighting on new or substantially improved oceanfront projects, to compile certified fixture and spectrum guidance, to coordinate an after‑dark field visit with partners, and to prepare public education and enforcement language. No ordinance vote was taken at the meeting.

Why it matters: sea turtles are protected under state and federal law, and local visible lighting that contributes to take can trigger enforcement actions. Committee members noted that an ordinance without clear enforcement provisions could leave the town exposed to legal risk or third‑party enforcement initiatives.

Key points discussed

• Hatchling orientation and light characteristics: Godfrey summarized that nesting females and hatchlings use horizon brightness to orient to the sea and that artificial light sources, particularly brighter and shorter‑wavelength light, increase misorientation. He said that adult nesting declines in proximity to bright sources but that nests may still occur near illuminated structures, creating hatchling risk.

• Local pier incidents and enforcement risk: Committee members reviewed prior incidents near a local pier where hatchlings moved toward pier lights. The group noted that visible lighting that demonstrably harms turtles can attract federal enforcement attention.

• Fixture recommendations: The committee discussed spectrum and intensity, noting that longer‑wavelength (amber) fixtures reduce attraction. Members cited Florida’s program of certified turtle‑friendly fixtures as an existing model but emphasized the committee’s own standard: lighting should not be visible from the beach.

• Ordinance scope and enforcement: Staff and committee members reviewed town obligations under state and federal protections and warned that an ordinance lacking enforcement language creates liability. The committee directed staff to draft ordinance language that would require full‑shielded, beach‑invisible fixtures for oceanfront construction and substantial improvements.

• Utility coordination and retrofit opportunities: The committee discussed past cooperation by Duke Energy in coastal communities to replace street and access lighting with longer‑wavelength lamps and asked staff to pursue utility contacts and potential fixture replacements locally.

• Nesting season and outreach: Members recorded the local nesting and hatching advisory window as roughly May 1 through Nov. 15 and supported voluntary mitigation and outreach measures such as bulb‑exchange programs, targeted notices to properties near active nests, and messaging to close curtains at night, while avoiding measures that remove all orientation cues for hatchlings.

Next steps

The committee directed staff to: coordinate an after‑dark field visit with partners to observe light impacts; compile certified fixture resources and spectrum guidance; draft ordinance updates addressing beach‑visible light and new construction language; and prepare enforcement language and public education materials. The group approved prior minutes earlier in the meeting and adjourned at 5:08 p.m.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural (approval of prior minutes) and a motion to adjourn; the committee did not take a formal vote to adopt any ordinance during the session.