Glamox, a world provider of lighting, has launched new wildlife and turtle-friendly versions of some of its most popular LED marine luminaires. The new amber-coloured lights, for use on the exterior of vessels and onshore coastal facilities, are designed to limit the impact of lighting on nesting turtles and their hatchlings.
Turtles outlived the dinosaurs and have existed for more than 200 million years. Yet today, their population is in decline. With around half of all species threatened with extinction, they are one of the most endangered groups in the animal world. The reasons for the decline are numerous. They include poaching and overharvesting, habitat destruction, climate change, and bycatch.
Adult turtles nest and hatchlings normally emerge on beaches at night. Bright lights on coastal-facing buildings and vessels can screen out the moon and stars, removing the dark shade of dunes and the brightness of the ocean that hatchlings need to navigate their way to the sea. Also, bright artificial lights often deter adult females from nesting on the beach, resulting in fewer nests.
Long-wavelength light, such as amber-coloured light, is less disruptive to wildlife and turtles than blue-white light. This is because moonlight is relied upon to guide the turtle hatchlings toward the safety of the sea.
As such, Glamox has taken a few of its best-selling LED marine lights and made amber light versions at a wavelength of around 600 nanometres, which is ideal for turtles. The lights are designed for the exterior of vessels and coastal facilities and include MIR G2 and MAX G2 explosion-proof luminaires. In addition, LED Kits allow customers to keep the housing of their existing luminaire and upgrade their lights to be wildlife and turtle friendly.
Growing environmental awareness and guidance from authorities have seen the emergence of a market for amber turtle-friendly lighting, particularly in Asia and Australasia. Glamox has already sold some of its new lights for vessels working off coastal waters in Australia.
