Central Broward News

The month of March marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season here in South Florida, and the City works hard to help protect them.

Five species of sea turtles make roughly 60,000 nests with about 100 eggs in each along Florida’s coast every year. Of those species that nest on Broward’s beaches, green and leatherback sea turtles are listed officially as endangered, and the Florida population of loggerhead sea turtles is considered threatened.

The turtles can live up to 60 years or more and weigh hundreds of pounds. But just one of every 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood due to natural predators, pollution and litter, commercial fishing, and other dangers. Artificial lighting from buildings along the beach can also confuse the young turtles, drawing them away from the water.

Here is some useful information about what the City of Fort Lauderdale is doing to help protect the sea turtles and spread awareness to the public and businesses:

Artificial Lighting

During sea turtle nesting season, March 1 through October 31, the City works hand-in-hand with Broward County Natural Resources Division and Sea turtle Conservancy to identify and correct the areas that impact the nests with non-compliant artificial lighting.

To protect the sea turtles, a few simple measures make a huge difference, including window tinting, shielded and low-mounted lights, and certain light source wavelengths (amber, for example) that provide lighting for walkways and pedestrian traffic without disrupting sea turtles’ circadian rhythms.

Public Awareness

City staff begin sending out notices to businesses, hotels, and residential properties that are within the line of sight of nesting areas on February 8. Each location receives an informational package that includes the following:

* Copy of the City of Fort Lauderdale Sea Turtle Nesting Protection Ordinance 

* Flyer with examples of approved fixtures and bulbs 

* Window tint information card

* Broward County lighting regulations door hanger

* Copy of the Sea Turtle Conversation Program

* Tabletop sea turtle lighting informational card for restaurants 

* Community Enhancement and Compliance Division contact information

Enforcement and Additional Measures

A team from the City’s Community Enhancement and Compliance Division and its partners take great care to map sea turtle nests and set-up protective barriers where necessary to monitor hatchlings. 

The City works with the Sea Turtle Conservation on certain measures that can assist with compliance in high-rise buildings such as hotels and condos. Additionally, the City continues to meet with property managers and Homeowners Association (HOA) presidents to educate and discuss ongoing solutions for interior lighting compliance measures. 

Here's the procedure for code enforcement along the beach:

* Proactive enforcement is conducted twice a week at a minimum along with complaint-based enforcement.  

* If a violation is found for a property that is not a repeat offender, an Inspection Notice is given with 10 days to comply. 

* If compliance is met, the case is closed. 

* If compliance is not met, the case is schedule for a Special Magistrate Hearing. At the hearing, the City request to comply within 10 days is given or a daily fine in the amount of $100 is issued until compliance is met.  

* If a violation is found and property is a repeat offender, the case is automatically scheduled for a Special Magistrate Hearing. There, the offender is issued fines in the amount of $200 per day from the day of the violation was observed until compliance is met.

Protecting these sea turtles is a priority for the City of Fort Lauderdale and its partners. Visit fortlauderdale.gov/neighbors/sea-turtles for resources and more information. 

Original source can be found here.