Distressed Over Exterior Lights in Close Proximity to the Water...
Earlier this year we posted an article about the challenges artificial light imposes on the local Anna Maria Island turtle population.
It was called Lights Out For Sea Turtle Nesting Season: Help Ensure a Successful Sea Turtle Nesting Season.
Soon after we posted the article we began receiving comments. One comment inparticular was disturbing. It was a discription by one visitor of the magnitude of the lighting problem.
People on Anna Maria Island are generally quite well informed and educated about what can be done to ensure a healthy turtle nesting season, yet from this persons perspective not nearly enough was being done in regards to the lighting near beach nesting areas.
We're reprinted his comment here below. Please, if you agree, disagree or have any other opinions on the matter, feel free to leave a comment of your own in the comment area provided.
"I walked the beach on Anna Maria Island a couple of weeks ago at night and I was very distressed to see how many exterior door lights were blazing on the properties closest to the water. How can people live in such close proximity to nature and have so little regard for it? There has to be big fines or some kind of disincentive for people to be more mindful of the wildlife around them. If those properties are rentals, then the turtle light situation needs to be attached to the rental agreement. Educate visitors and residents."
What do you think, should there be educational posters about sea turtles and the effects of lighting on their nesting population, and even fines for not following the rules?
Please let us know, or you can go to the appropriate section of our blog if you prefer and start a thread about sea turtles and the effects of artificial lighting. Actually there are alread related posts there, but feel free to begin your own.
Welcome to Anna Maria Island Life!
Ps... There was another post left that more directly tackled the lighting problem.
"Protecting sea turtle hatchlings from the effects of light pollution should be a no-brainer. If you think about it, it's really simple. Just be sure to choose outdoor lights that shine down only. Why would you want lights that shine up, anyway?"
Again, because this is an ongoing turtle issue each season, if you have any input, suggestions, comments or otherwise... please tell us what you think.
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