Sea Turtle Shuffle

I posted briefly in my tipsy airport blogging spree that Florida law protects Sea Turtle nests. I wasn't aware how much (via Ravenwood).

For six months out of the year, residents of Cocoa Beach (and other parts of Florida) are forced to stumble around in the dark once the sun goes down. That's because baby sea turtles are too stupid to find the ocean once they hatch, and often end up following man-made lights instead of the moon. Now, turtles hatchlings are only born for one month during the year, but never the less from May 1 to November 1 residents who dare to turn on the light after 9 PM face a $1000 fine.

Seems a bit silly; can't inconvenience infant most likely still-gestating turtles. Wonder what the hurricanes do to them and who has to pay a fine.

hln

Posted by hln at August 15, 2005 06:09 PM | Whimsy | TrackBack