Reptiles

Sea Turtle Welfare: Six Threats to Ancient Survivors

Sea turtles have survived 100 million years but face existential threats from plastic pollution, bycatch, nest predation, and climate change.

Key Facts

All seven sea turtle species are listed as threatened or endangered
A single sea turtle may ingest 74 items of plastic in its lifetime
Longline fishing bycatch kills an estimated 200,000 sea turtles annually
Climate change is feminizing sea turtle populations as sand temperatures rise
Fibropapillomatosis, a tumor disease, affects 50% of green turtles in some areas

Welfare Considerations

Plastic ingestion causes intestinal blockage, buoyancy dysfunction, and slow starvation. Longline bycatch causes drowning and hook injuries. Fibropapillomatosis tumors grow over eyes, flippers, and internal organs, causing blindness and starvation. Entanglement in ghost gear causes flipper loss and drowning. The cumulative welfare burden on individual sea turtles is severe.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic to lower ocean plastic pollution
Support longline bycatch reduction programs and circle hook mandates
Donate to Sea Turtle Conservancy and Oceanic Society programs
Participate in beach cleanups during sea turtle nesting season
Advocate for ghost fishing gear retrieval programs in your area