A Beaches utility company is installing new lighting in Jacksonville Beach parking lots to protect sea turtles.
Hatchlings are attracted to moonlight (which is similar to the white light common in the newer LED streetlights).
Beaches Energy Services Project Supervisor Matt Seeley says they’ve come up with new lighting that will benefit residents and not lure turtle hatchlings away from the ocean.
“And so just under the guidance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife recommendations, we selected a light — developed a light — that will put out a much different, a unique light output that they’re not attracted to,” he said.
The lights are going in at about 35 spots.
The project is part of a partnership with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol and Florida’s ”Clean Dark Flat” public awareness campaign.
The campaign asks people to leave the beaches clean of trash, free of artificial light and flat (with no holes or sand castles).
