Sea turtle nesting season is here!  We would like to make you, as a citizen, beachgoer, boater and homeowner, aware of the City of Naples Marine Turtle Protection Regulations and some simple ways you can help protect these vulnerable marine animals and their important nesting environment.  Sea turtles, primarily the loggerhead turtle, use our beaches for nesting between May 1 and October 31.  Unfortunately, turtles face multiple threats from humans, such as light disorientation, ingestion of debris and plastic bags, and pollution.

Beach residents and visitors can contribute to the conservation of these animals by doing the following:

• Turn off all lights visible from the beach between 9:00 p.m. and sunrise from May 1 to October 31
• Check existing light shields and make needed adjustments to insure they are blocking the light from the beach
• Do not use flashlights, flash photography, or video equipment on the beach at night
• Close blinds and/or curtains
• Extinguish lights illuminating dune crosswalks between 9:00 p.m. and sunrise from May 1 to October 31 of each year, and modify lights to conform to the requirements for new development in accordance with City Ordinance 52-61.  Security and emergency exit lighting shall follow the same requirement stated in this ordinance. If high intensity lighting is necessary, low pressure sodium vapor luminaries must be used and fitted with a hood or positioned so that the light sources or any reflective surfaces illuminated by such sources are not visible from the beach.
• Remove beach furniture by 9:00 pm
• Avoid unnecessary traffic near nest areas
• Report nest hazards that may affect nest safety

Remember, it is unlawful for any person to kill, molest, or cause direct or indirect injury to any species of marine turtle in the city or within its jurisdictional waters.  Further, it is unlawful to collect or possess any part of a marine turtle (City Ordinance 52-61).  It is also unlawful for any person to construct any structure, make any excavation, deposit any fill, remove any beach material or otherwise alter existing ground elevations, soil structure and natural formation or drive any vehicle on, over or across any sand dune or beach, or damage or cause to be damaged such sand dune or beach or the vegetation growing thereon, seaward of the coastal construction setback line without obtaining either a variance or a permit from the city (City Ordinance 52-33).

Early morning inspections will begin May 1, 2009 and will be conducted daily.  Evening inspections for lighting violations will occur at random. 

Please take time to review your beachfront area and make arrangements for voluntary compliance.  We ask that you cooperate and support efforts to protect and save these threatened and endangered species.  Without your help, they will not survive.