Sea turtle nesting beaches face threats from development, artificial lighting, and human disturbance.
Nesting turtles disturbed by lights or human activity abandon their attempts and expend energy without reproductive success. Hatchlings that move toward lights instead of the sea die from dehydration and predation. Vehicles crushing nests destroy developing embryos that may have some welfare significance as sentient life in later development. Protecting nesting beaches through lighting management, vehicle restrictions, and human access controls directly protects individual turtle welfare.