368
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
that light does not reach the beach) without diminishing the value of sea turtles (i.e.,
prevent harassment and mortality). Witherington and Martin (2000) argued that light
management for sea turtle conservation, if properly conducted, has the potential to
increase the utility and the aesthetics of beachside lighting.
A complete study of the economics of light management for sea turtle conservation is sorely needed for many beaches worldwide where there is electric light and
turtle nesting. In Florida, there is limited information on the costs and benefits of
light management, but there has been no economic survey to demonstrate how these
costs and benefits are weighed by stakeholders. Light management can involve multiple options. An individual light that is turned off or aimed away from the beach
may cost the light user almost nothing if the light illuminated an unimportant area.
This action may actually have a benefit if the re-aiming puts more light onto offbeach property where it is desired or if either re-aiming or switching off a light
reduces a stakeholder’s total power consumption. Shielding a light source may cost
approximately $1–50 USD plus labor ( < 1 h), with smaller lights requiring the lowest
shielding cost and with lighting systems meant to light a broad area requiring the
highest shielding cost. Where the demand for value gained by lighting is the greatest,
either in aesthetics or in the extent of the area lighted, stakeholders may choose to
replace existing light sources with new lighting that has better directional capabilities
(Witherington and Martin, 2000). Although this option may cost $20–300 USD per
light source, it is frequently chosen by stakeholders who wish to solve a lighting
problem and are willing to pay higher costs in order to avoid any compromises on
the appearance and utility of a lighting system. When light sources with a good
directional design or with other attributes that allow good light management (Witherington and Martin, 2000) are chosen during the design and construction phase of
a stakeholder’s development, there is likely to be little or no added cost. Exceptions
to this assessment come from debate over whether a stakeholder actually benefits
from lighting the nesting beach itself, property that is commonly in public ownership.
Value in lighting the beach may be greatest for beachside businesses that gain customers by being conspicuous. Even with this difficulty, there are some lights with
long-wavelength spectral characteristics that can be used in conspicuous applications
so that a business retains advertising value and effects on sea turtles are reduced (but
not eliminated; Witherington and Martin, 2000).
In Florida, and elsewhere in the U.S., the cost of not managing light near nesting
beaches includes potential fines from local, state, and federal laws. Many local lightmanagement ordinances in Florida specify fines of hundreds of dollars per day, and
in one example of the enforcement of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, a fine of
$45,000 was levied against a condominium with lighting that caused hatchling
mortality (Anonymous, 1995; the fine was later reduced to $15,000 but required
corrective action taken by the condominium association).
14.8.2 M ANAGING M ORTALITY FROM M ARINE F ISHERIES
The impact of marine fisheries on sea turtle survival is a topic of great concern to
conservationists (see Chapter 13, this volume). The use of turtle excluder devices
(TEDs) can greatly reduce mortality in trawls, just as redesigning hooks may reduce
1123 book.book Page 368 Monday, November 11, 2002 11:11 AM
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
that light does not reach the beach) without diminishing the value of sea turtles (i.e.,
prevent harassment and mortality). Witherington and Martin (2000) argued that light
management for sea turtle conservation, if properly conducted, has the potential to
increase the utility and the aesthetics of beachside lighting.
A complete study of the economics of light management for sea turtle conservation is sorely needed for many beaches worldwide where there is electric light and
turtle nesting. In Florida, there is limited information on the costs and benefits of
light management, but there has been no economic survey to demonstrate how these
costs and benefits are weighed by stakeholders. Light management can involve multiple options. An individual light that is turned off or aimed away from the beach
may cost the light user almost nothing if the light illuminated an unimportant area.
This action may actually have a benefit if the re-aiming puts more light onto offbeach property where it is desired or if either re-aiming or switching off a light
reduces a stakeholder’s total power consumption. Shielding a light source may cost
approximately $1–50 USD plus labor ( < 1 h), with smaller lights requiring the lowest
shielding cost and with lighting systems meant to light a broad area requiring the
highest shielding cost. Where the demand for value gained by lighting is the greatest,
either in aesthetics or in the extent of the area lighted, stakeholders may choose to
replace existing light sources with new lighting that has better directional capabilities
(Witherington and Martin, 2000). Although this option may cost $20–300 USD per
light source, it is frequently chosen by stakeholders who wish to solve a lighting
problem and are willing to pay higher costs in order to avoid any compromises on
the appearance and utility of a lighting system. When light sources with a good
directional design or with other attributes that allow good light management (Witherington and Martin, 2000) are chosen during the design and construction phase of
a stakeholder’s development, there is likely to be little or no added cost. Exceptions
to this assessment come from debate over whether a stakeholder actually benefits
from lighting the nesting beach itself, property that is commonly in public ownership.
Value in lighting the beach may be greatest for beachside businesses that gain customers by being conspicuous. Even with this difficulty, there are some lights with
long-wavelength spectral characteristics that can be used in conspicuous applications
so that a business retains advertising value and effects on sea turtles are reduced (but
not eliminated; Witherington and Martin, 2000).
In Florida, and elsewhere in the U.S., the cost of not managing light near nesting
beaches includes potential fines from local, state, and federal laws. Many local lightmanagement ordinances in Florida specify fines of hundreds of dollars per day, and
in one example of the enforcement of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, a fine of
$45,000 was levied against a condominium with lighting that caused hatchling
mortality (Anonymous, 1995; the fine was later reduced to $15,000 but required
corrective action taken by the condominium association).
14.8.2 M ANAGING M ORTALITY FROM M ARINE F ISHERIES
The impact of marine fisheries on sea turtle survival is a topic of great concern to
conservationists (see Chapter 13, this volume). The use of turtle excluder devices
(TEDs) can greatly reduce mortality in trawls, just as redesigning hooks may reduce
1123 book.book Page 368 Monday, November 11, 2002 11:11 AM