Thousands petition Jacksonville Beach City for safer sea turtle conditions

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Nearly 79,000 people have signed the “Save Jax Beach Baby Sea Turtles” petition so far. It is asking the City of Jacksonville Beach to change its lighting ordinance to better protect sea turtle nests.

There are about 80 reported sea turtle nests in local beaches, according to Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol. More than a dozen hatched over the weekend at Jax Beach. Activists argue incandescent lighting will prevent this in the future.

Harmful lighting can discourage female turtles from nesting in the sand. It can also cause hatchlings to become disoriented and wander inland, where they can die of dehydration or predation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created rules for lighting near beach for sea turtles. It includes disorientations ,wildlife lighting, sea turtle protection ordinances and technical reports.

In part, it reads, "Replace incandescent, fluorescent, and high intensity lighting with the lowest wattage amber, orange, or red LED possible to provide adequate light The full list can be found here.

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Based on these rules, each FL county establishes ordinances for the beaches. The City of Jacksonville Beach changed their lighting a few years ago to comply.

Action News Jax spoke to the city’s code enforcement. A representative said each light fixture in the line of sight of the beach has been approved. The city is also reviewing lighting, as normal procedure for the start of each turtle season.

Neighbors claim the city need to enforce new lighting ordinances to better sure local wildlife. They plan to address city leaders during Monday night’s city council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

“The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol wanted to clarify that they are not affiliated with this petition. It is an organization that advocates and protects local sea turtles.”

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