Wildlife

Leatherback Turtle Welfare and UK Bycatch

Leatherback turtles visit UK and Irish waters during summer to feed on jellyfish and face welfare risks from entanglement in creel ropes and lobster pot lines along the Atlantic coasts.

Key Facts

Leatherback turtles are the world's largest reptile and can reach 2m in length and 900kg
They travel from nesting beaches in the Caribbean and West Africa to forage in UK and Irish waters
Entanglement in static fishing gear is the leading cause of leatherback mortality globally
Each year 2-8 leatherbacks are reported stranded around the UK and Ireland, often with entanglement injuries

Welfare Considerations

Leatherback turtle welfare in UK waters is primarily threatened by entanglement in creel ropes and other vertical lines in the water column. Entangled turtles drown within minutes. Turtles that escape entanglement may carry rope injuries that cause infection and chronic welfare compromise. The relatively small number of entanglement events in UK waters can be significantly reduced through gear modification.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for biodegradable fishing gear that reduces long-term entanglement risk
Report leatherback turtles seen at sea or stranded to the Marine Conservation Society
Support British Divers Marine Life Rescue training for large marine turtle disentanglement
Advocate for turtle-excluder requirements in static fishing gear in known leatherback foraging areas