From March 1 to Oct. 31, all oceanfront residents must make sure their lights are not visible from turtle-nesting beaches, the town said.

Starting Sunday and through Oct. 31, all Palm Beach residents with oceanfront properties must ensure their lights are undetectable to sea turtle hatchlings on nesting beaches.

A release from the Palm Beach Police says the "lights out" policy is in keeping with a town ordinance that aims to protect endangered sea turtles which nest on local beaches and the hatchlings which come from those nests.

Sea turtle hatchlings become disoriented by artificial light, which causes them to venture off course on their way to the Atlantic Ocean, police said.

Disorientation caused by artificial light is believed to be a major cause of sea turtle population declines worldwide, the release said.

To comply with the "lights out" policy, oceanfront property owners are required to shield or redirect any artificial lights illuminating any area of the beach or water that may be used by nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, or simply turn off the lights, police said.

Justin Perrault, director of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, said residents must do more than turn off their lights to ensure the safety of sea turtles and their hatchlings.

"Keep your lights out, keep away from nests, tear down a sandcastle if you built one, fill a hole if you dug one," Perrault told the Daily News on Thursday.

Nesting season guidelines provided by Loggerhead tell people to remain quiet when a nest is close by, properly dispose of their trash, and not touch or assist the hatchlings when they emerge from their nests.

According to the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370, it is illegal to harm or harass sea turtles, their nests, or hatchlings.

"Be mindful that you are not the only creature out there," Perrault said.

For more information about sea turtle nesting, visit www.marinelife.org/nesting or www.marinelife.org/research.

@rachida_harper