The North Carolina Aquariums is joining the ever-growing movement of migration to “Wildlife Friendly Lighting,” which often shine an amber hue.

In Nags Head, Jennette’s Pier has transformed its nighttime outline with brand new shielded fixtures with amber lighting, which ultimately creates less light pollution, according to pier director Mike Remige.

“This specific color temperature is far less disruptive to insects, bats, birds, and most importantly along the oceanfront, sea turtles,” he said. “It also reduces eye strain for people, better preserving our night vision.”

The idea of transforming lighting at North Carolina’s three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier has been developing for years, according to Dr. Carol Price, conservation research coordinator.

The North Carolina Aquariums’ Conservation Action Plan first prioritized the use of Wildlife Friendly Lighting at aquarium facilities back in 2021, Price said.

In January 2023, sea turtle conservation groups from near and far assembled for the North Carolina Sea Turtle Symposium at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington where light pollution was a “huge topic,” Price said.

Conservation leaders met again in March for the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle conference in Orange Beach, Alabama, where the topic was again discussed. The pair of meetings were an “inspirational call for action,” Price said.

Scientists have been collecting data on how light pollution impacts nesting turtles and their clutch of babies or hatchlings.

“We know nesting mothers may not nest where there’s light pollution,” Price said added.

Another problem light pollution creates has to do with hatchlings making their dash to the sea. When sea turtle nests erupt or “boil” with the tiny babies, the reptiles are hard-wired to use natural environmental cues, such as following the brightest horizon like the reflection of the moon and stars on the water and the downward slope of the beach, to find their way to the ocean.

Light pollution confuses this innate navigation system, resulting in hatchlings becoming disoriented and unable to reach the ocean before they fall prey to predators or succumb to dehydration, according to aquarist Michele Lamping of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

She has spent the last 20 years working with sea turtles, which include three endangered species: Kemp’s ridley, Atlantic hawksbill and leatherback, as well as two threatened species loggerhead and green sea turtles.

She has a passion for protecting them all and is currently involved in several important projects including the operation of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores’ sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation operations.

She also is the volunteer coordinator for the Atlantic Beach Sea Turtle Patrols, which protects sea turtle nests.

Lamping has attended numerous lighting workshops and conferences. She said there’s a movement to curtail and negate harmful artificial lighting across all of North Carolina.

“We’re also trying to address negative impacts to wildlife from all lighting including residential, municipal and pier lighting along our beaches,” Lamping said. “Northwest Florida has already gone through lighting retrofits. Now Southwest Florida is going through it, too.”

Price and Lamping worked directly with Kristi Spohn of SESCO Lighting’s Florida Branch who crafted the plan for Jennette’s Pier’s refit. There is a growing need in North Carolina for industry leaders specializing in Wildlife Friendly Lighting, they said.

Price and Lamping said it took many steps and many years to get the project to this point. They each hope it will inspire other piers and properties to do the same.

Remige reports that a significant amount of unrestricted support funds from the N.C. Aquarium Society paid for the 200 new fixtures. These include low-mounted pathway lights, wall sconces, overhead recessed can lights, bollards, and lampposts.

“Fortunately, the changeover came right when many of the old bollards and lampposts were starting to fail,” Remige said.

A certified electrical contractor plans to wrap up installation of Phase 1 soon, Remige noted. The 29 tall parking lot lights will be changed in Phase 2 of the project as more funds become available.

Remige said that the town of Nags Head has already deployed Wildlife Friendly Lighting at several crosswalks and beach accesses.

“We’re all trying to make a difference for wildlife,” Remige added.

A handful of additional Carolina coastal towns and ocean piers such as Oak Island Pier also use Wildlife Friendly Lighting.

Daryl Law is an Outer Banks writer and communications manager at Jennette’s Pier.

1. World-class fishing can be found at this state-of-the-art, 1,000-foot-long concrete pier. Anglers of all experience levels can take a shot at landing a wide variety of fish from small spot to hard-fighting mahi mahi. There’s drum, trout, flounder, croaker, pompano, sea mullet and more.

Jig for bluefish and Spanish mackerel on the end of the pier or bottom fish for a red drum in the surf zone. Novice anglers love to reel in feisty fish and intermediate ones can target this wide variety. The pier fishing fee covers your license for the day, there’s bait for sale and rods for rent too.

2. Walk-on sightseers can find all sorts of interesting happenings around Jennette’s Pier. Watch a fisherman catch a big cobia or king mackerel. Often, bottlenose dolphins are swimming in the sea around the pier.

Birds of all types fly the sky including brown pelicans, ospreys in summer and wide variety of migrating waterfowl during the winter. Be sure to bring your camera or binoculars!

On the rare occasion, people can spot spouting whales, usually humpbacks, on the horizon while they make their way south or north depending on the season.

3. Owned and operated by the North Carolina Aquariums, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head offers numerous educational opportunities both inside the pier house and out on the pier. Family fishing lessons are offered during summer months too.

Informational graphic panels located along your path first explain the history of Jennette’s Pier, originally built in 1939. Inside the pier house, two large aquariums, more graphic panels, plus informational and interactive displays, offer a wealth of information on Life Under the Pier, ocean sciences and research.

Commemorate your day with the ideal gift from the Pier Shop for the perfect visit. There are hats, T-shirts, housewares, and of course, fishing tackle.

4. Jennette’s Pier has become known as a premier wedding venue on the Outer Banks since it reopened in 2011. Hundreds of happy couples have been wed on the beach surrounding the pier and then celebrated with family and friends inside the Oceanview Hall.

As the name implies, there’s a grand vista of the sea and a wrap-around veranda so you can soak in the salt air, warm breezes and shimmering moonlight across the water.

5. Whether you want to run in an early beach race, do yoga or watch a professional surf contest, Jennette’s Pier has it all – all season long. With plenty of parking, a bathhouse and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder people are flocking to the beach.

So, when you get down to the Outer Banks this next time, swing by Jennette’s Pier where Fishin’ is Catchin.’ For more, go to www.jennettepier.net or call 252-255-1501.

Anglers enjoy “the worlds’ largest surf fishing tournament” Thursday and Friday, Oct. 6-7 when 80, six-person teams hit the beaches for four sessions of fishing, fellowship, and fun in the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Invitational Tournament.

Next up, after a two-year hiatus, the North Carolina Lions Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Fishing Tournament returns to Jennette’s Pier Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 18-19.

With its mantra of “Grab a Pole and Change a Life,” this event brings scores of VIPs to the pier Tuesday for bottom fishing, food, and friendship. A smaller, international event occurs on Wednesday.

There’s nothing quite like sharing a smile with these folks when a tug on their line stirs their senses and gets them laughing! Volunteers surround the VIPs and help them with bait and fish.

“Many of the Lions look forward to catching up with their VIP friends year after year and even stay touch throughout the year,” according to Gwen White, event executive director.

Her son Owen White will head up activities at Jennette’s Pier. White’s husband Rhett retired from the N. C. Aquariums after a long stretch as division director.