Wildlife

Sea Turtle Welfare and Fishing Bycatch

Sea turtles face significant welfare harms as bycatch in fisheries worldwide, with entanglement, drowning, and longline hook injuries causing widespread suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 250,000 loggerhead and leatherback turtles are caught annually as bycatch
Sea turtles drown in gill nets and trawls when unable to surface to breathe
Longline hooks cause severe internal injuries when swallowed
All seven sea turtle species are listed as Vulnerable or Endangered
Turtle excluder devices reduce bycatch by over 97% when used correctly

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles entangled in fishing gear experience acute stress, physical injury, and drowning. Turtles that escape from nets may carry embedded hooks causing chronic internal injury and infection. Entanglement in ghost fishing gear causes prolonged suffering as turtles struggle to surface for air before exhaustion. Nesting beaches disturbed by artificial lighting, vehicles, and human activity cause disorientation and breeding failure.

What You Can Do

Support fisheries using turtle excluder devices and circle hooks
Buy seafood certified from turtle-friendly fisheries
Advocate for mandatory use of turtle excluder devices
Support sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs
Keep beach lights off during sea turtle nesting season