Habitat destruction is a major threat to sea turtles today, which is made worse by continual coastal development and dredging of the seafloor. Other forms of pollution, such as light pollution and chemical pollution, have also been known to disrupt nesting behaviors, weaken immune systems, and create even more obstacles for sea turtles and hatchlings. Plastic is also easily mistaken for food by sea turtles and can cause them to choke or sustain internal injuries.Īnd this issue might be even more common than you think – one study found that around 52% of sea turtles throughout the world have eaten debris. Turtles can become entangled quickly by this lost gear, causing them to drown or become injured. Not only can sea turtles get stuck in nets or on longlines, but any discarded fishing gear can also cause considerable damage. Trawls are known to capture 20 pounds of bycatch for every pound of their intended species, causing grave destruction for endangered sea turtle species. Sea turtles are easily entangled in trawls or hooked by longlines, which results in critical harm to these turtles worldwide. Nearly 40% of the sea creatures caught in fishing gear are done so unintentionally and are killed or released back into their environment injured. Incidental capture while fishing is common all over the world. One of the most significant threats to sea turtles is bycatch from fisheries. Some of the most notable factors driving the endangerment of sea turtles include unsafe fishing practices, pollution, coastal development, climate change, and illegal trade and harvesting. While sea turtles have been around for millions of years, recent practices along the shoreline have significantly contributed to their declining populations and current status as an endangered and vulnerable group of marine animals. Their main goals include eliminating turtle bycatch, combating illegal trade, establishing marine protected areas, and monitoring and protecting turtle nests. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also works to eliminate harmful human practices that threaten sea turtle habitats and populations. These statutes outline recovery and conservation plans for sea turtle populations and prohibit various human-caused threats to their environment, including possession, sale, or destruction of sea turtles, nests, or their eggs. Sea turtles are protected under the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act. The population of sea turtles is in decline, and significant conservation efforts are undertaken to control factors that endanger their health and habitats. Leatherback Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, and Olive Ridley living in the wild are also vulnerable. Green Turtles are also facing extinction according to the endangered classification from the IUCN. The conservation status of sea turtle species varies depending on where you look, and most organizations agree worldwide that sea turtle species are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable.ĭespite every species facing significant environmental threats, some sea turtle populations are significantly more critically endangered than others.Īccording to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, both Kemp’s Ridley and Hawksbill Turtles are critically endangered, meaning they face a significant threat of extinction globally. As a result, nearly every sea turtle species are now considered endangered or threatened.

Recent human activities have caused significant damages to sea turtle populations and their environment. However, over the past 200 years, changes in the sea turtles’ environment have threatened their continued survival. Sea turtles have been around and remained virtually unchanged for over 110 million years. Throughout oceans around the globe live seven different species of sea turtles. While sea turtles are known for their long, streamlined shell, the wide range of sea turtle species features turtles of different sizes, colors, and more.

Whether they’re in the ocean or nesting on sandy beaches, these sizable reptiles play a crucial role in our oceans. Ranging from 100 pounds to over 1,000 pounds, you can find a great variety of species of sea turtles all over the world.

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