Accidental capture of sea turtles in fishing gear is a leading cause of mortality for all sea turtle species, with effective mitigation measures available but inconsistently implemented.
Sea turtle bycatch welfare involves both the suffering of entangled or hooked individuals and the population-level impact on endangered species. Turtles entangled in nets drown unless they can reach the surface; hooked turtles may suffer injuries and exhaustion. The solutions — circle hooks, TEDs, area closures during nesting seasons — are technically proven and widely available. Implementation requires regulatory mandates, enforcement, and economic support for gear modifications. Consumer pressure through sustainable seafood choices incentivises fishing fleet compliance with bycatch reduction measures.