Rekawa Turtle Watch faces illegal egg collection, coastal development, artificial lighting, plastic pollution, fisheries bycatch, predators and disturbance from poorly managed tourism. Climate change adds further risks through rising seas, stronger storms, beach erosion and increasing sand temperatures, which can alter hatchling sex ratios. The community-run project must also fund year-round patrols, maintain equipment and manage visitors responsibly despite seasonal income. Protecting an open coastline at night requires dependable staffing, training and long-term financial security.

Solving these challenges would allow more females to nest undisturbed and more hatchlings to reach the ocean naturally. Secure funding would sustain patrols, improve monitoring and strengthen protection against poaching, damaging development and irresponsible tourism. A healthy nesting beach would conserve turtles and the wider coastal ecosystem while supporting local jobs, guides and small businesses. Most importantly, Rekawa would remain a successful example of how community ownership and carefully managed tourism can turn wildlife protection into lasting local benefit.