Sea turtle nesting beaches are critical habitat under threat from coastal development and human disturbance. Protecting nesting welfare is essential for species survival.
Sea turtle nesting welfare encompasses the experience of nesting females under significant physiological stress during their terrestrial excursions, and hatching juveniles facing navigation challenges amplified by artificial lighting. Nesting females disturbed by tourists or lighting may abort nesting attempts. Hatchlings disoriented by artificial light expend critical energy reserves crawling toward urban light sources rather than the sea. Nest protection volunteers who patrol beaches, reduce lighting, and mark nest locations make measurable differences to both hatching success and individual turtle welfare.