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Town establishes ‘red light district’ for turtles
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/052008_bhb-03.jpg) |
| Photo by NANCY AYERS |
| Pictured under a turtle-friendly red light at the Hotel Isis are, from left, Isis owners Marilyn Thornberry and Kathleen McDonald; CMA chief operating officer Jody Armstrong; and sea turtle biologist “Turtle Joe” Widlansky. |
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REDINGTON SHORES – Sea turtles and their hatchlings will benefit by having their nests in the town’s newly established red light district.
Redington Shores Mayor Jody Armstrong presided over “the very first launch of a ‘turtle red light district’” at a party held at the Hotel Isis on May 15.
Armstrong explained that sea turtles are distracted by light. Baby turtles that emerge from their nests along the beach may follow artificial lighting to a swimming pool or seawall, rather than the Gulf of Mexico.
Red light district adherents use red bulbs in lights visible from the beach because turtles cannot see red. They also take other measures such as shielding of lights and use of shades to keep the beach as dark as possible during the turtle mating season, which runs from May through October.
When artificial lighting is minimized, the young turtles can follow the natural light of the moon and stars shining on the water to a safe entry into the gulf.
Armstrong, who is also the chief operating officer of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said that citizen action is necessary to help assure the survival of the endangered sea turtle species.
“If you must light, light red,” is the red light district slogan, she said. Armstrong said she hopes other beach communities will follow Redington Shores lead and establish red light districts by making residents aware of the importance of using turtle-friendly lighting practices.
Also at the party were Armstrong’s cohorts at the CMA who rope off and monitor turtle nesting sites along the 28 miles of Pinellas County beaches, and assist the young turtles in safely making their way to the gulf.
Director of Sea Turtle Nesting Mike Anderson said there is a lot of artificial lighting along the beaches. “(The lights) can distract adult females, and are an even bigger problem for hatchlings, who look to the moon and stars for guidance,” he said.
Anderson said the number of turtle nests in Pinellas County had declined from 199 in 2003 to 115 the year before last, and only 38 last summer. There are hopes for a rebound this year, he said. The average nest contains 100 to 130 eggs.
Mostly loggerhead turtles visit the area, although rarer species sometimes come. A nest of Kemp’s Ridley turtles, where eggs hatch in the daylight, was located near the Sheraton Sand Key several years ago.
When a sea turtle nest is discovered, CMA marine biologists rope it off. About 60 days later when the eggs are about to hatch, a restraining cage is placed over the nest to keep the turtles safe from predators. Anderson said the State Fish and Wildlife Commission is trying to cut back on the use of cages in favor of a more natural nest setting.
Eggs normally hatch between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., and CMA volunteers will sit with a nest nightly when they determine that a hatching is due.
The public’s role in helping the CMA protect and preserve the sea turtle population is critical, Armstrong said. That is why the red light districts and other preventative measures such as keeping dogs off the beach are so important, she said.
Public awareness posters and red lights (for a donation) were available at the party. The lights are available over the Internet, and posters can be picked up at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium located at 249 Windward Passage.
More information on the red lights and sea turtle protection can be obtained by visiting the CMA’s Web site www.SeeWinter.com or by calling 441-1790.
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Article published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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