Group Members: Jessica Castro, Jodany Fortune, Natalia Rodriguez and Francisco Toral

Course: Coastal Environment -6117

Background

Light pollution is one of the major problems associated with an increased human population and urban development in the coastal zone

Negative effects of light pollution on humans' health, economy and wildlife

The impact on sea turtles

Turtle hatchlings instinctively orient away from the dark silhouette of the nighttime shore. Here hatchlings have been temporarily distracted by a bright lamp. Hatchlings and mother turtles distracted by shorefront lights can wander onto nearby roadways. image: Lynda Richardson/Corbis

1. Research Problem a. Puerto Rico represents the US territory that waste more

energy/km2, and the third in the world per individual (after United States and Singapur)

b. Several reports in the island described sea turtles (adults and hatchlings) mortality due to artificial light disorientation as well as a decreasing nesting activity in developed areas

An efficient management strategy needs to be developed in order to minimize the impact of light pollution on sea turtles nesting populations in Puerto Rico

Ramos, 2003

Mayo 2011, Ocean Park-Puerto Rico

Junio 2011, Luquillo-Puerto Rico

Goal To develop an education program in order to minimize the negative effect of light pollution on sea turtles nesting beaches in Puerto Rico.

Specific objectives

1. To identify the most vulnerable (to light pollution) nesting beaches in Puerto Rico

2. To identify key actors that may collaborate with the development of the education program, such as: local NGOs or community leaders, and personal from the Division of Education in the DRNA

3. To assess the level of awareness of coastal communities about the negative effects of light pollution, and specifically on sea turtles nesting beaches in Puerto Rico

Hypothesis

• The development of a suitable educational program in coastal communities will be helpful to minimize the impact of light pollution on sea turtles nesting beaches in Puerto Rico.

Methodology

1.1.The most vulnerable nesting beaches (study areas) will be identified using:

1.1.1. The Light Pollution Map prepared by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, in order to select those areas with medium to high levels of light pollution

1.1.2. Nesting Activity Map prepared by the DNER (for each sea turtle species) and expert opinions in order to select those nesting beaches with ≥5 nests/km2/season.

1.2. Disorientation and mortality reports presented to the DNER-Endangered Species Office

Sea turtles nesting sites and light pollution

Methodology (continued)

2. Once we identified the study areas, we will contact those key actors that might collaborate with the implementation and outreach of the education program (e.g., ATIPUR-Ocean Park, Luis Crespo-Maunabo). These groups already conduct sea turtles nesting monitoring. 3. Once we identified the most vulnerable nesting beaches, we will conduct a survey to different community members (e.g., residents, hotel managers) in order to assess their level of awareness about the impact of light pollution on sea turtles nesting beaches in Puerto Rico.

Activities a. We will design and handout brochures and signs addressing the

problem of light pollution in Puerto Rico. The brochure will include:

simple and affordable strategies to deal with this problems

links about products available in the market (http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/seaturtle/Lighting)

b. Sign will be placed in the nesting beaches describing sea turtles life cycle and how light pollution may affect this cycle.

Activities (continued)

c. Presentations and workshops will be given in collaboration with local leaders and NGOs to residents, schools, hotels managers and the municipality.

d. Recognition from the DNER will be given to those “turtle friendly communities”

Potential benefits and measures of success a. The major benefits of this project will be: i. to increase people’s awareness and consciousness about the negative effects of light pollution on health, economy, wildlife and ecosystems (comparison of pre- and post-surveys) ii. to reduce both hatchlings and adults disorientation events and mortality (by monitoring nesting and hatching activity) iii. to increase nesting activities in the selected vulnerable beaches (monitoring and comparison with previous years)

Sea Turtle Conservation Maunabo Community Project

Project Objectives

discourage and prevent poaching or theft of eggs and

help gather reliable data on turtle nesting in Maunabo beaches .

http://www.comitemaunabo.com/tortu.htm

Sea Turtle Conservation Maunabo Community Project

General Information

This project is an initiative of a group of community volunteers Maunabo.

Director: Mr. Luis Crespo (science teacher) Collaboration: Sea Grant Program of the College of

Humacao,

“Cuerpo de Vigilantes” Department of Natural Resources Region of Humacao.

http://www.comitemaunabo.com/tortu.htm

Sea Turtle Conservation Maunabo Community Project

Achievements (2001-06)

29 volunteers, collected data from the 4 beaches in Maunabo.

The poaching was significantly reduced.

Problems (2007)

It reduced the number of volunteers to 9. During the 2007 season has again increased poaching

leatherback turtles and two have been dismembered.

http://www.comitemaunabo.com/tortu.htm

Time schedule

a. This project will be conducted on February, May, August and December 2012. These months were selected based on nesting seasons and hatchling events for leatherbacks’ (Dermochelys coriacea), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles.

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