Artificial light pollution is well established as a threatening process impacting species of marine turtle globally. A Benchmark Artificial Light at Night survey was undertaken in 2017 across turtle nesting beaches within the Sunshine Coast Nesting Bioregion and repeated in 2022 to determine the level of increase in light pollution. The 2022 survey integrated loggerhead hatchling behavioural data collected by citizen scientists, in partnership with the Queensland Turtle Conservation Project. The 2017 and 2022 surveys demonstrated rates of increase in artificial light pollution up to three times global average increases, consistent with the elevated rate of development within the local government area.
Concurrently, commercially available turtle sensitive lighting was tested against loggerhead hatchling behaviour and suitable luminaires were subsequently installed at Sunshine Coast beaches with integrated smart devices. Community response was evaluated and demonstrated increased awareness, and overwhelming support for the initiative, along with no significant difference in perception of safety.
The investigations undertaken on the Sunshine Coast have provided a basis for policy development to reduce impacts of artificial light on locally nesting marine turtles and other ecologically sensitive species (shorebirds). Incorporation of scientific rigour into policy development is integral to supporting population recovery of threatened marine turtles.