Australian scientists measure impact of artificial light on sea turtles

Artificial light has a significant impact on the survival of wild sea turtle hatchlings, according to research released on Wednesday.

The study carried out by the University of Western Australia (UWA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Department of Parks and Wildlife found that 90 percent of wild sea turtle hatchlings swam towards artificial light during the study thinking it was the moon, becoming disorientated from their journey offshore.

The turtles were tracked using micro-technology as they made their way through the waters near the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

UWA Coastal Oceanography Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi said the scientists measured oceanographic parameters during the experiments that enabled them to isolate the effects of artificial light on the hatchlings by looking at the effects of ocean currents.

"It is widely known that artificial lighting near turtle nesting beaches attracts turtle hatchlings as they emerge from nests and can cause them to have trouble finding the sea," Pattiaratchi said.

"But understanding what happens once they reach the sea and how lights on water from sources such as boats, ports and wharves affect them has been unknown up until now because we lacked a simple means to track them."

It was noted the results would have implications for existing and future industrial developments near hatching beaches of marine turtles.

Researchers said the study provided key behavioral insights into the extent of the impact light conditions have on the survival of wild sea turtle hatchlings. Endit