Deepwater Horizon Spill Fines Help Save Sea Turtle Hatchlings in Florida

Sea turtle hatchlings along the Florida coastline now have an improved environment in which to make their way to the sea, thanks to fines paid by BP for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill: LED lights that will not disorient the baby turtles or otherwise distract them from their mission of getting to the water.

Hotels, restaurants, and various other businesses along Florida beaches all have glittering lights that attract visitors to their establishments, but have the unfortunate side effect of also attracting newly hatched sea turtles, whose instincts encourage them to move toward light upon emerging from their underground nest. This leaves them extremely vulnerable to predation or dehydration, either of which can set upon the newborns within minutes. And since the average survival rate of newborn sea turtles is just one percent, every effort to assist their survival counts.

The new LED lights installed at more than 80 hotels, resorts, condo buildings, and private homes emit wavelengths that have been proven not to attract sea turtles, and have been certified “wildlife friendly” by the FWC. New fixtures were also installed to angle lights away from the beach. As an added bonus, the new lights are more energy-efficient than bright incandescent bulbs, using 70 percent less energy, and as well as being visually appealing, they can actually improve human visibility with the softer illumination.

Source: aquaviews.net

Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife