Laserfiche WebLink
Metadata
Document management portal powered by Laserfiche WebLink 9 © 1998-2015 Laserfiche. All rights reserved.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />BOARD MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator <br />THROUGH: Richard B. Szpyrka, P.E., Public Works Director <br />THROUGH: Eric Charest, Natural Resources Manager <br />FROM: Quintin Bergman, M.S., Environmental Specialist <br />SUBJECT: Florida State University - Sea Turtle Lighting Study <br />DATE: November 3, 2020 <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS <br />Indian River County's Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) outlines the adverse effects of <br />artificial lights to nesting and hatchling sea turtles that typically emerge at night along the <br />County's beaches. It is a goal of the Habitat Conservation Plan to decrease these impacts and <br />improve the nesting habitat for all three protected species of sea turtle that utilize the County's <br />beaches. <br />Artificial lights on the beach at night can cause confusion in sea turtle hatchlings, attracting them <br />away from the ocean. This makes them waste energy and become more vulnerable to predators. <br />These events are called a Disorientation. During sea turtle surveys Staff and other Marine Turtle <br />Permit Holders complete a report for each disorientation. Since the HCP inception in 2005, an <br />average of 72 nests per year are reported to have disorientated, equating to negatively impacting <br />around 8,000 hatchlings per year. <br />Section 932.09 of the Indian River County Code of Ordinance depict regulations for coastal <br />properties that serve to protect sea turtles. In summation the code states: that lights seen from <br />the beach must be shielded so they do not illuminate the beach and must be an amber or red <br />light bulb. <br />Staff has been approached by Dr. Mariana Fuentes an Associate Professor at Florida State <br />University where she leads the Marine Turtle Research Ecology & Conservation Group. Dr. <br />Fuentes would like to conduct a sea turtle lighting study along portions of Indian River County's <br />beaches and has asked for assistance from County Staff. <br />The study includes utilizing a novel technology to determine and measure the light field <br />surrounding artificial lights along the beach, contributing to a better understanding of how the <br />artificial light impacts hatchling turtles. <br />29 <br />