Between nesting events, sea turtles rest and recover in nearshore areas where their welfare is affected by water quality, boat traffic, and predation.
The welfare of nesting sea turtles extends beyond the nesting beach to include the internesting period when females rest in nearshore waters recovering energy for the next clutch. Disruption of internesting areas through boat traffic, pollution, and fishing gear reduces the recovery quality of these animals during an energetically demanding period. Identifying and protecting internesting aggregation areas as part of comprehensive nesting beach conservation programs addresses the full welfare needs of nesting turtles rather than just the visible beach phase.