Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles are protected by the US Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370. It is illegal to harm or harass sea turtles, their nests, or hatchlings. The City of Miami Beach is a nesting habitat for three species of protected sea turtles; the Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback.

Sea turtle nesting season in the State of Florida occurs between May 1^st and October 31^st. However, turtle nesting season begins on April 1^st for Miami Beach to account for the earlier leatherback nesting season.

Although turtles prefer dark beaches, many nest on lighted shores due to the lack of dark beaches. This jeopardizes hatchlings, which are instinctively attracted to bright lights. The City of Miami Beach has adopted a Turtle Nesting Protection Ordinance to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on hatchlings and nesting sea turtles and thereby protect the endangered species which frequently visit its beaches. The Ordinance requires light management on private and public lands to prevent light pollution that is problematic for sea turtles and other nocturnal animals.

Sea Turtles and the Beach Ecosystem

Sea Turtles are protected by the US Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370. It is illegal to harm or harass sea turtles, their nests, or hatchlings.

The City of Miami Beach is a nesting habitat for three species of protected sea turtles; the Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback. Annually, beginning in April and extending through early November, the native sea turtles come to nest on our beaches. Sea turtles lay around 100 eggs in a nest and lay between 3 and 7 nests during the summer nesting season.

It is important not to disturb hatchlings, eggs, or nests since hatchlings need to crawl to the sea unimpeded. Touching nesting females, taking flash pictures of nesting females or hatchlings, or digging into nests is prohibited by law. If you observe someone harassing a nesting or hatchling sea turtle, contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) Law Enforcement at (888) 404-FWCC (3922) or *FWC on cellular phones.

Sea Turtle Nesting Protection Ordinance

On September 6, 2006, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2006-3525 mandating the restriction of artificial lighting during nesting season on our beaches between April 1^st and October 31^st.

To minimize disturbance to sea turtles and their nests, the reduction of artificial light sources from properties that may visible from the beach is required. Light pollution from adjacent properties disorients nesting adults and hatchlings because sea turtles mistake artificial lighting for the reflection of the night sky on the water. Although there is no substitute for a naturally dark sky, there are practices that our community can follow to improve the nesting conditions for marine turtles that lay their eggs every year on our beaches.

Oceanfront properties can comply with the ordinance by turning off all unnecessary lighting
or keeping the blinds closed at night. We also recommend the installation of tinted glass or shades on all windows and glass doors facing or within line of sight from the beach. Any light fixtures located on the exterior of the property can also be modified or replaced to decrease disorientation and improve nesting habits through the installation of indirect low-profile lighting fixtures and bulbs. Existing fixtures can also be shielded or repositioned so that the point source of the light or any reflective surface is no longer visible from the beach. To obtain more information on sea turtle lighting please visit: http://www.myfwc.com/

View or download the ordinance below:

2006-3525 Ordinance

Artificial Lighting

Turtle nesting season in State of Florida occurs between May 1^st and October 31^st. However, Turtle nesting season begins on April 1^st in Miami Beach to account for the earlier leatherback nesting season.

Although turtles prefer dark beaches, many nest on lighted shores due to lack of dark beaches. This jeopardizes hatchlings, which are instinctively attracted to bright lights. Normally, the light that they travel towards is created by the reflection of the moon or stars off the surf. However, beachfront artificial lighting poses a serious threat to hatchlings by disorienting the hatchlings, causing them to crawl away from the ocean and toward the artificial light. On beaches where artificial lighting is visible, nesting females may be deterred from nesting and the hatchlings’ important journey to the sea can be disrupted.

The City of Miami Beach has adopted a Turtle Nesting Protection Ordinance to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on hatchlings and nesting sea turtles and thereby protect the endangered species which frequently visit its beaches. The Ordinance requires light management on private and public lands to prevent light pollution that is problematic for sea turtles and other nocturnal animals.

What can you do?

Never approach turtles emerging from the sea or disturb or harass nesting turtles. No matter how quiet, humans will often (and unknowingly) frighten nesting sea turtles back into the sea.
Use caution while boating to avoid collision with turtles.
Stay clear of marked sea turtles nests on the beach. All nests are marked by stakes, caution tape, and labeled with an FWC approved sign. This includes “camping” near a nest waiting for hatchling to emerge.
Close curtains or blinds at night to prevent interior lights from shining onto the beach.
Keep bright lights from shining onto the beach. If you have security/safety lights near the beach, build shades around the light so the beach is not directly illuminated.
Spread the word! Tell your friends and neighbors that sea turtle season is here and their survival depends on everyone in the community.
Learn more about lighting solutions.

Resources

Turtle Fest 2023 Recap Video

Quick links