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Free Lights for Beachfront Properties to Help Sea Turtles
03/09/10 - 08:50 AM

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in partnership with the St. Andrew Bay Resource Management Association (RMA) Turtle Watch (TurtleWatch) and Rachel’s Lighting announce that free sea turtle lights are available for beachfront property owners in Bay County, Florida.  The TurtleWatch has purchased light fixtures and bulbs with grant funds provided by the Service.  Property owners may pick them up at Rachel’s Lighting located at 416 W. 15th St., Panama City, Florida (850-769-2348).

Beachfront lighting can cause sea turtle hatchling mortality as they emerge from the nest and crawl to the sea and stop adult female turtles from coming ashore to nest.  The emergence from the nest and crawl to the sea is one of the most critical periods of a sea turtle’s life.  Hatchlings that do not quickly make it to the sea become food for ghost crabs and birds, or become dehydrated and may never reach the sea.  Some types of beachfront lighting attract hatchlings and lead them away from their destination to the sea.  Adult female sea turtles looking to nest have a tendency to avoid stretches of brightly illuminated beach.  Reducing beachfront lighting results in hatchling turtles have a better chance of reaching the sea and adult female turtles having suitable habitat in which to lay nests.  Don Imm, Deputy Field Supervisor, explains “lighting is one of the greatest threats to sea turtles on land but the easiest and most affordable to correct.” 

Property owners will be responsible for installing and maintaining the light fixtures.  These fixtures will replace exterior wall-mounted lights found on most single-family homes and condominiums.  Each property owner will be able to receive 2 light fixtures and bulbs for each of their property locations. Quantities will be limited so it will be on a first come first serve basis.

About U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 548 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov