Patterns of light pollution on sea turtle nesting beaches in the Egyptian Red Sea

We examined the probability of past sea turtle nesting as a function of light intensity and patterns of temporal changes of light along nesting beaches in the Egyptian Red Sea. Beaches had a lower probability of past sea turtle nesting as light intensity increased. Light has been significantly increasing on mainland nesting beaches between 1992 and 2021 except for temporary declines. Island beaches historically had lower light pollution, but there was a sudden increase of light starting in 2014 that continued through 2021, except for the precipitous decline in 2020 during the Covid 19 pandemic. Light pollution on past nesting beaches has now approached levels that may be too polluted and discourage nesting. The impacts of the increased light pollution on nesting density and hatchling survival of hawksbill, Eretmochelys imbricata, and green turtles, Chelonia mydas, is likely negative. •Sea turtle nesting had a lower probability as light intensity increased.•Light pollution has been increasing on mainland nesting beaches.•Island beaches had lower light pollution but has been recently been increasing.•Light pollution on beaches approaching levels that may be unsuitable for nesting