Sea turtle nesting on beaches exposes females and hatchlings to multiple anthropogenic threats — conservation and welfare at the nest site.
Sea turtle welfare at nesting sites involves protecting both nesting females and hatchlings from anthropogenic threats that are entirely preventable. Artificial light causes immediate welfare harm to hatchlings who walk toward roads rather than the ocean and die from vehicle strikes or exhaustion. Recreational disturbance during nesting causes females to abort nesting attempts and return to sea, wasting the enormous energetic investment of a nesting migration. These harms are preventable through light ordinances, beach management programs, and public education. Communities that successfully manage nesting beach disturbance demonstrate that conservation and human recreation can coexist with commitment and appropriate regulation.