eLightBulbs Lighting Blog > Amber Lights Could Possibly Help Save Sea Turtles

The Grand Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida is trying out Halco Amber LED light bulbs in an effort to meet Turtle Light Certification.  It is hoped that the amber light, instead of traditional white light, will help combat turtle nesting and hatchling issues caused by artificial exterior white lighting on beachfront properties.

 

According to Kelly Kirtland of MB Development (owners of the Grand Beach Hotel) several products have been tried and the amber light is currently the best option.  No hotels yet have found any light bulbs that have been fully approved by the FFWCC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), but the amber lights being used by MB Development are "moving in the right direction".

 

The US Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute, Chapter 370 protect sea turtles.  The Act and Chapter 370 of the Florida Statute make it illegal to harm sea turtles, their nests, or their hatchlings.  Miami Beach is a nesting habitat for sea turtles.  Annually, from April-November, sea turtles nest on Florida's beaches.  Female sea turtles nest 3-5 times biennial and lay approximately 100 eggs per nest.

 

Turtle nests best thrive on dark beaches.  Most of Florida's coastline is brightly lit, making turtle nests there inadequately hidden and exposed to predators.  Sea turtle hatchlings are instinctively attracted to the light of the moon and stars reflecting off the ocean water.  The bright lights of beachfront properties can confuse the hatchlings and cause them to be distracted away from the water; because of this, many hatchlings die before reaching water.

 

It is hoped that changing exterior lighting to soft amber light from amber LED light bulbs will help alleviate the danger to sea turtles.  As mentioned before, the effect of these bulbs is not yet known, but is predicted to be much better than the bright white lights currently in use.