When a sea turtle hatchling is attracted away from the ocean towards a direct or indirect source of light, biologists describe this as a disorientation event. The hatchlings become disoriented and crawl away from the ocean towards the brightest light.

On Marco Island, it is a very disturbing trend for the month of July to have 18 sea turtle light violations from the beachside residents. Actually, there are more than 18 – since not all violations are recorded.

A few tips from the Sea Turtle Conservancy:

Keep it LOW – Mount lighting fixtures as low to the ground as possible to avoid being seen from the beach and use the lowest amount of light needed for the task.

Keep it SHIELDED – Use fixtures that direct light down to the ground or away from the beach and shield the light source from the beach.

Keep it LONG – Sea turtles are less disturbed by long wavelength light (580 nanometers or longer), such as amber or red LEDs.

Case # 20-2633 – 176 S Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. The Prince Condo – Sea Turtle Protection – continued from last year – with two prior violations from 2020 fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-0920 – 960 Cape Marco Drive – City of Marco Island v. Cozumel A Condominium – Sea Turtle Protection with a prior from 2020 fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-0949 – 560 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Hilton Hotels – Sea Turtle Protection with a prior violation from 2020 fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-0950 – 850 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Sandpiper Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection for May 15, 2021, violation with two prior violations fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-0954– 890 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Sea Winds of Marco Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1031 – 220 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Duchess Condominium – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1037 – 176 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. The Prince Condominium – Sea Turtle Protection with two prior violations in 2020 fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1038 – 140 Seaview Court – City of Marco Island v. Admiralty House Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection with a prior violation in 2020 fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1043– 180 Seaview Court – City of Marco Island v. Tradewinds Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection with two prior violations in 2020 fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1045 – 380 Seaview Court – City of Marco Island v. South Seas Northwest Condo Building #3 Apartments – Sea Turtle Protection with two prior violations in 2020 fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1046 – 440 Seaview Court – City of Marco Island v. South Seas Northwest Condo Building # 4, Apartments – Sea Turtle Protection with two prior violations in 2020 fined for $750 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1108 – 410 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Eagles Nest on Marco Beach Condominium Assoc Inc. Mardap Ltd. – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1115– 400 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. JW Marriott Hotel LLC c/o Cornerstone Real Estate Adv. – Sea Turtle Protection with a prior violation in 2020 fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1116– 300 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Royal Seafarer Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1117 – 480 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Marco Beach Ocean Resort Hotel Tower LLC – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1158 – 780 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Somerset of Marco Island – Sea Turtle Protection with a prior violation in 2020 fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1159 – 940 Cape Marco Drive – City of Marco Island v. Veracruz Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection fined for $250 plus $50 admin cost.

Case # 21-1160 – 850 South Collier Boulevard – City of Marco Island v. Sandpiper Condominium Association – Sea Turtle Protection for June 21, 2021, violation fined for $500 plus $50 admin cost.