Light Pollution Levels on Beaches: How Window Tinting Effects Disorientation of Sea Turtles on Hilton Head Island

Loggerhead sea turtles, an endangered species, are decreasing at alarming rates worldwide. Artificial light from beachfront hotels on Hilton Head Island are causing disorientation in Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings affecting their ability to successfully find the ocean. To mitigate this, exterior windows facing the ocean will be tinted using either tinting spray, which will be implemented at the Marriott Grande Ocean, or using tinting film, which will be implemented at the Marriott Westin. During the typical nesting and hatching season (May-October), sea turtle hatchling tracks will be recorded using drones to compare the effects of various levels of light pollution on degrees of disorientation. Following the tinting, it is expected that levels of light pollution on the beaches will decrease, allowing for more hatchlings to find the ocean successfully. These mitigation efforts are important to implement to increase the population of Loggerhead sea turtles on Hilton Head Island and eventually other endangered sea turtles and marine species