Wildlife

Sea Turtle Welfare and Conservation

Sea turtles face multiple welfare threats from bycatch, plastic pollution, nest disturbance, and climate change.

Key Facts

All seven sea turtle species are listed as threatened or endangered
Bycatch in longline and trawl fisheries kills tens of thousands of sea turtles annually
Plastic ingestion causes starvation, internal injury, and death in sea turtles
Nest temperature determines sex ratio in sea turtles and rising temperatures are feminising populations
Turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawls significantly reduce bycatch mortality

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles experience welfare harm from entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of plastic debris, and nest disturbance. Bycatch causes drowning and injury, while plastic ingestion causes starvation and organ damage. Conservation interventions that protect individuals also improve individual welfare outcomes, demonstrating the complementary nature of conservation and welfare goals.

What You Can Do

Support bycatch reduction measures including turtle excluder devices
Reduce single-use plastic consumption to protect sea turtle feeding grounds
Support sea turtle nest protection programs in nesting areas
Choose certified sustainable seafood to reduce bycatch risk
Donate to sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation organisations