Wildlife

Sea Turtle Bycatch in Fishing Gear

All seven sea turtle species face bycatch threats from longlines, trawls, and gillnets; turtle excluder devices and circle hooks significantly reduce capture rates.

Key Facts

An estimated 250,000 sea turtles are accidentally caught in fishing gear annually
Longline fisheries are among the most significant bycatch threats for leatherback and loggerhead turtles
Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) reduce turtle bycatch by over 97% in shrimp trawls
Circle hooks reduce turtle bycatch in longline fisheries by up to 90% compared to J-hooks
All sea turtle species are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles caught in fishing gear experience drowning if unable to surface, or severe physical injury from hooks and entanglement. Even when released alive, turtles may carry embedded hooks causing chronic injury and infection. TEDs and circle hooks are proven, cost-effective solutions that dramatically reduce both capture rates and injury severity. Implementation gaps in many fishing nations mean turtles continue to die preventably in large numbers.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs requiring turtle-safe fishing methods
Support organizations monitoring and reducing sea turtle bycatch
Advocate for mandatory TEDs and circle hooks in fisheries operating in turtle habitat
Support sea turtle monitoring and rescue programs
Reduce seafood consumption or choose lower-impact species