Disorientations darken turtle nesting season but it is still not working.

Longboat Key’s beaches go dark from May through October, and Longboat Key Turtle Watch posts its “Lights Out” posters and pamphlets throughout the island. Here’s why:

On Aug. 25, volunteers found two tiny hatchlings run over in the road. Two other hatchlings were luckier. Concerned passers-by noticed them and called Turtle Watch volunteers, who released the young turtles into the Gulf later that night.

Bright lights most likely disoriented the hatchlings, causing them to head toward the road instead of the sea.

Disorientations have been more common than usual this year, particularly on Longboat Key.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s data for 2014 show that 35% of hatched nests on Longboat Key have been disoriented, compared with 23% in 2013. (Mote’s 2014 data are preliminary, because nesting season continues through October.)

One possible explanation: The town’s code enforcement officer spends much of his or her time during the summer bringing properties into compliance with lighting requirements, but the position was vacant for nearly three months during the summer.

“I don’t know what the problem is, but lately, it has seemed like they’re going the wrong way more than the right way,” said longtime Turtle Watch volunteer Cyndi Seamon.

The town used other means to remind the public about nesting season, including sending a message through the CodeRED alert system and giving police officers and building inspectors fliers to distribute.

New nesting activity is slowing down for the season, but nests will continue to hatch through October.

Beachgoers, along with residents and visitors of Gulf-front properties, can help protect turtles by shielding or turning off all outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October. Close drapes after dark, put beach furniture far back from the water and fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water.

If you encounter a nesting turtle or hatchlings, stay quiet and observe from a distance.

Avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach, and do not encourage a nesting turtle to move or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water.

Disorientation data
The following data are based on a representative sample of hatched nests in each area that represents approximately 15% of nests and show the percentages of these nests that became disoriented.

                            2014*      2013
Longboat Key  35%         23%
Lido Key           N/A           N/A
Siesta Key        N/A           N/A
Casey Key        5%           3%
Venice              18%         17%

* Preliminary