[CitizensTruth] Sea Turtle Nesting Season May 1 - Nov 30, 2008

[Daniel Stafford]

Something a bit more sub-tropical in honor of Earth Day - this is from 
Sanibel Island, Florida.

Dan


>

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

> City of Sanibel 	

>

> 	

> Press Release 	

>

> Logo

>

> Sanibel, Florida - April 22, 2008

>

> News Release - For Immediate Release

>

> City of Sanibel

>

> Contact: Natural Resources Department (239) 472-3700

>

>

>   2008 Sea Turtle Nesting Season

>

> *MAY 1^ST   TO NOVEMBER 30^TH *

>

>  

>

> Sea turtle nesting season has returned to Sanibel's beaches once 

> again. Nesting and hatchling emergence will take place from *May 1 

> through October 31*.* *This natural process has happened on Sanibel 

> Island for centuries and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation 

> and the City of Sanibel are committed to protecting these endangered 

> species.

>

>  

>

> In 1997 and 1998, the City of Sanibel enacted ordinances to protect 

> nesting and hatchling marine turtles from the adverse effects of 

> artificial lighting and unattended beach furniture. Artificial beach 

> lighting can inhibit female sea turtles from nesting and disorient 

> hatchlings.  At night, items left on the beach including beach 

> furniture, toys and trash may also provide barriers to nesting and 

> entanglement or predation of hatchlings.  In most cases, compliance 

> with these ordinances is simple.  Most beachfront lighting issues can 

> be addressed by turning off all unnecessary lights, repositioning or 

> modifying light fixtures, and closing blinds and drapes.  Removing all 

> beach furniture from the beach and dune area, when not in use, between 

> the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M is also required by City ordinance 

> and is an important step in sea turtle protection.  These ordinances 

> are in effect year-round. 

>

>  

>

> All Gulf-front property owners should make sure that their properties 

> are in compliance with the City's marine turtle protection ordinances 

> and ensure that artificial lighting from the property is not 

> illuminating the beach. *An easy way to test if your property is in 

> compliance is to go out on the beach on a moonless night and look 

> seaward. If a shadow is cast towards the water, there is a potential 

> to deter female turtles from nesting or disorient hatchlings as they 

> emerge from the nest. *

>

>  

>

> We look forward to another successful sea turtle nesting season and 

> hope to uphold Sanibel's reputation as having one of the darkest and 

> most turtle friendly beaches in the state. We ask for your continued 

> support with this important program.

>

>  

>

> -END-

>

> email-list at mysanibel.com <mailto:email-list at mysanibel.com>

> 	

>

>

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>

> 	

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> City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Rd | Sanibel | FL | 33957

>

>

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