Lights out for Tybee – Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Season - Tybee Island, Georgia

“Lights Out for Tybee” May 1 – Oct 31

“Lights Out for Tybee” is a program that has been put into effect to protect nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Tybee Island urges people to turn off or shield light coming from structures visible from the beach after 9 pm from May 1st to October 31st. Artificial lights can discourage females from nesting. Also,sea turtle hatchlings usually emerge from the nest at night because it’s cooler. The biggest threat to their survival, though, are lights on the beach. It confuses the hatchlings who look for the moon’s reflection on the water to guide them. If they don’t make it to the ocean quickly, many hatchlings will die of dehydration in the sun or be caught by predators like birds or crabs. Tybee’s sea turtle nest have been rebounding over the last few years, with the island setting records each year! We hope everyone will help the efforts to keep the “Lights Out on Tybee” so we can have another record-breaking year!!

Why Are Loggerheads Threatened?

The life of a loggerhead sea turtle is difficult. It is estimated that only 1 of every 10,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. There are many reasons for this, some natural, some man-made. Each year thousands of turtles become entangled and drown in fishing nets. Thousands of turtles are killed each year when they mistakenly eat trash and debris. By following the guidelines below, we can all help ensure that the loggerhead sea turtle remains an integral part of the ecology of Tybee Island.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Remove beach litter
Balloons, plastic bags, foam, fishing gear, and other non-degradable litter can cause the deaths of many sea turtles who mistake them for food.

Observe from a distance
If you encounter a nesting turtle, do not shine any lights on or around her – she may abandon her effort to nest. Do not use flash photography. Stay behind the turtle so that she cannot see you.

Do not harass a turtle
Don’t touch or prod her to move. Stay out of the way as she crawls back to the water.

Leave nest sites alone
If you see a nest, don’t disturb it. Leave any identification markers in place. If you find a hatchling wandering in daylight, place it on moist sand in a dry container, shade it and call one of the numbers listed below.

Report injured turtles
Call to report dead or injured turtles.