Although light symbolizes progress, for green sea turtles it is the opposite of a miracle. Mapping the lighting on beaches shows that not all darkness needs to be banished.

Artificial lighting, which has become a symbol of progress and modernity, threatens the future of one of the most impressive animals of the Mediterranean Sea – the green sea turtle. Light pollution is illumination in the wrong place, at the wrong intensity and at the wrong time. When lighting is used along the coasts, light pollution affects the turtles’ life cycle and jeopardizes their long-term survival. A new study, led by the Nature and Parks Authority and published in the journal 'Ecology and environment', reveals the alarming extent of the phenomenon and offers solutions that can save the next generation of sea turtles.
"Light pollution is one of the results of the accelerated development we are experiencing. The lighting that has become an integral part of our lives causes enormous damage to animals that rely on natural darkness for their life cycle," says Dr. Noam Lider, Director of the Ecology Division in the Science Division at the Nature and Parks Authority. Green sea turtles are among the main victims of the phenomenon, as the seashores are a necessary condition for their continued existence.
Going to the light
The problem begins the moment the females come ashore to lay eggs. Females Sea turtles, whose behavior is based on instincts that are millions of years old, need dark beaches to feel safe to lay eggs. However, artificial lighting from nearby buildings, roads and coastal infrastructure discourages them from coming ashore. Sometimes they decide not to lay eggs at all, or they are forced to choose less suitable places, which reduces the chances of the eggs surviving.

The next stage where light pollution harms turtles is immediately after hatching. Hatchlings, the young turtles emerging from their nests, are naturally drawn to the brightest light source. On beaches without artificial lighting, they are drawn to the sea, which reflects the moonlight and stars. Artificial lighting, on the other hand, confuses them and causes them to move in the wrong direction. “The hatchlings can waste precious energy in unsuccessful attempts to reach the sea, and sometimes they are exposed to predators or hit by vehicles,” notes Lider. Even when the hatchlings reach the sea, the threat is not over. light pollution In coastal environments, it can disrupt their navigational abilities and prevent them from finding the natural pathways where they can survive and thrive. The complexity of light pollution stems from its impact on different stages of the turtles' life cycle, making it one of the greatest threats to them.
Mandatory risk level
Research, which was based on satellite imagery collected over eight years, maps the levels of artificial lighting on green sea turtle nesting beaches in the eastern Mediterranean. The study shows that half of the nesting beaches suffer from varying levels of light pollution, and about a third of them are in particularly severe condition. Most of the main nesting beaches, where there are thousands of nestings per year, are in Turkey, Cyprus and Syria. In Israel, however, the numbers are relatively low, with only about 65 green sea turtle nestings per year, but here too the challenge is significant. "Israel's beaches are in a constant development boom, and the environmental lighting is very prominent," adds Lider.
The study on light pollution and its impact on green sea turtles is part of a report submitted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As part of the collaboration with the IUCN, the mapping of nesting beaches and the study's recommendations served as the basis for international discussions on steps that can be taken to reduce harm to green sea turtles.
Following the findings, the IUCN expert committee determined that a decline in habitat quality is expected, and defined the risk level of the green sea turtle in the Mediterranean basin as "Near Threatened." "This level requires countries to act to protect the turtles and monitor their condition. This is a preliminary assessment that examines the future consequences of a significant risk factor such as light pollution on beaches for a long-lived species like the green sea turtle," says Lider.
A bleak future
However, the study highlights that the impact of light pollution is not immediate. Sea turtles do not reach sexual maturity until they are 20–30 years old, so the damage caused today will not be fully felt until decades later. This fact underscores the need for immediate action to secure the future of sea turtles.
What can be done to address the threat? Lider notes that there are technological and strategic solutions that can reduce light pollution. “Using smart lighting, such as LED lights with light that does not attract turtles, is a step in the right direction,” he says. In addition, the study recommends reducing artificial lighting in critical areas, especially during the nesting season, and installing fences or barriers that prevent light from leaking onto nesting beaches.
But the solution doesn't stop with technology alone. Local and international regulation is necessary to create significant change. "Without clear laws that limit artificial lighting in sensitive places, it will be difficult to protect the spawning beaches," explains Lider. In Israel, actions such as turning off lights near beaches on critical nights during the breeding season are already being implemented in some places, but there is still room for improvement.
Awareness and intervention
Another important element is public engagement and awareness. Lider believes that once people understand the problem and its consequences, they are more likely to cooperate. “Public campaigns that explain the harm that light pollution causes can lead to widespread behavioral change,” he says.
The fight against light pollution also requires regional cooperation. Countries bordering the Mediterranean share the responsibility for protecting nesting beaches. International initiatives, such as collaborations with Turkey and Cyprus, are trying to promote joint environmental planning that will ensure the survival of turtles throughout the Mediterranean basin.
light pollution It is a modern challenge with serious ecological consequences, but it is not insurmountable. Through a combination of advanced technology, clear policies and public cooperation, we can ensure that beaches remain a safe place for green sea turtles. The question is whether we can illuminate the path to solutions, without disturbing nature, which needs the darkness.
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