How You Can Help Sea Turtles

Lighting

Lighting plays a huge role in the survival and safety of sea turtles, especially during nesting and hatching. Here's how:

How Lighting Affects Sea Turtles

1. Nesting Mothers Need Dark Beaches

Sea turtles prefer to nest on dark, quiet beaches. Artificial lights from buildings, streets, or homes can:

• Discourage females from coming ashore to nest.

• Cause them to abandon nesting attempts altogether (called a “false crawl”).

2. Hatchlings Use Natural Light to Find the Ocean

When baby sea turtles hatch, they instinctively crawl toward the brightest horizon, which should be the moonlight reflecting off the ocean.

• Artificial lights (streetlights, porch lights, hotels, cars) can disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the water.

• Disoriented hatchlings often die from exhaustion, dehydration, predators, or being run over on roads.

3. Lighting Can Be Life or Death

Proper lighting (or turning lights off) can save thousands of hatchlings. Turtle-friendly lighting helps hatchlings safely find the sea, increasing their chances of survival.

What is Turtle-Friendly Lighting?

• Uses low-wavelength, amber or red lights that turtles can’t easily see.

• Lights are shielded and pointed downward.

• Lights are kept low to the ground.

• Lights are turned off when not needed, especially during nesting and hatching season.

Quick Fact:

In Florida, many coastal communities have "Sea Turtle Lighting Ordinances" that require turtle-safe lighting during nesting season (March to October).

Reduce Plastic Use

Reducing plastic use is critically important for sea turtles because plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to their survival. Here's why:

How Reducing Plastic Use Helps Sea Turtles

1. Prevents Ingestion of Plastic

Sea turtles often mistake floating plastic bags, balloons, and other debris for jellyfish — one of their favorite foods.
When turtles eat plastic:

• It can block their digestive system, causing starvation.

• Sharp plastic can injure their internal organs.

• Ingested plastics can cause gas build-up, leading to "floating syndrome," which prevents turtles from diving for food or escaping predators.

2. Reduces Entanglement Risks

Discarded plastic fishing gear, six-pack rings, and strapping bands can entangle sea turtles.

• This can cause severe injuries, restrict movement, and even lead to drowning.

• Young turtles are especially vulnerable to entanglement.

3. Protects Nesting Beaches

Plastic waste on beaches:

• Creates barriers for hatchlings trying to reach the ocean.

• Can trap or obstruct adult females trying to nest.

• Degrades beach habitats over time.

4. Helps the Entire Marine Ecosystem

By reducing plastic, we not only protect sea turtles but also help:

• Marine birds

• Fish and other sea creatures

• Coral reefs and beach environments

Simple Ways to Help:

• Use reusable bags, bottles, and utensils.

• Avoid plastic straws, lids, and single-use packaging.

• Participate in or organize beach cleanups.

• Properly dispose of fishing lines and plastic waste.

Quick Fact:

Scientists estimate that over 50% of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic. Your daily choices really can help turn that around.

Leave Nests Alone

Leaving turtle nests undisturbed is essential for the survival of sea turtles. Here's why:

How Leaving Turtle Nests Alone Helps Sea Turtles

1. Prevents Damage to Eggs

Sea turtle eggs are extremely fragile.

• Touching, stepping on, or digging near nests can crack or crush the eggs.

• Even small disturbances can shift the eggs and harm developing hatchlings.

2. Allows Hatchlings to Develop Properly

The temperature and structure of the nest affect hatchling development.

• Human interference can cause the nest to collapse or change the temperature balance, which impacts hatching success and even the hatchlings' gender.

3. Keeps Hatchlings from Becoming Disoriented

When nests are left undisturbed:

• Hatchlings emerge naturally, usually at night, and head toward the brightest horizon—the ocean.

• Crowds, flashlights, or handling hatchlings can disorient them or delay their journey, increasing their chances of predation or death from exhaustion.

4. Protects from Human Scent and Predators

Disturbing a nest can leave human scent trails that attract predators like raccoons, birds, or crabs.
Leaving nests alone gives hatchlings the best chance to survive the critical moments after hatching.

What You Should Do:

• Never touch or dig up a turtle nest.

• Avoid using flashlights or phone lights near nesting areas.

• Keep beaches clean and clear of obstacles.

• Report marked or unmarked nests to local wildlife authorities, if needed.

Quick Fact:

Most sea turtle species are endangered, and only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. Leaving nests undisturbed gives each hatchling a fighting chance.