How Does Artificial Light Affect the Behavior of Green Turtles Chelonia mydas? (A Case Study in Pangumbahan Turtle Beach Coastal Park, Sukabumi-West Java District, Indonesia)

Turtles are reptiles that live in the sea and can migrate long distances throughout the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia. Their existence has long been threatened, both by nature and human activities. Light pollution (excess artificial light at night) affects female turtles in choosing a nesting site and affects the orientation of hatchlings to go to the sea on the nesting beach. Moreover, it decreases the efforts of turtles to nest and increases the death of hatchlings. This study aimed to analyze the behavior of hatchlings and Chelonia mydastoward the color of artificial light, and to propose the appropriate use of artificial light in Chelonia mydas conservation areas for sustainable fisheries. The study employed a descriptive analysis approach, utilizing primary and secondary data. The test animals were selected using the simple random method. In testing three different colors of light, namely red, green and blue at night, the results showed that hatchlings were most attracted to blue, with a higher percentage of 69%, while green had a percentage of 31%, and red had 0%. It was found that red light with a wavelength of 600nm did not disturb adult turtles. Chelonia mydas can see light colors with wavelengths of 360-500nm. In conclusion, the pattern of reaction to the behavior of hatchlings and adult turtles to the color of light shows that hatchlings and adult turtles are not disturbed by artificial red light. Suggestions for the management of sea turtle nesting protection areas include the use of artificial light with the alternative use of red (600nm) lamps for lighting, artificial light rays shielded from the beach, and the placement of artificial light as low as possible from the ground surface so that the light does not go directly to the beach.