Marine Animals

Sea Turtle Bycatch in Fishing Gear

All seven sea turtle species are threatened, with drowning in fishing gear representing one of the most significant human-caused mortality sources.

Key Facts

An estimated 250,000 sea turtles are caught as bycatch annually
Longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish are major sources of turtle bycatch
Trawl nets can drown turtles within minutes of capture
Turtle Excluder Devices reduce bycatch by 97% with minimal fish loss

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement and drowning cause significant distress. Turtles caught on longline hooks experience prolonged suffering before retrieval or death. Even released turtles may die from injuries, decompression stress, or cold-stunning after rapid depth changes.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs requiring TEDs and bycatch monitoring
Support ratification of international bycatch reduction agreements
Advocate for mandatory turtle excluder device use in all trawl fisheries
Report entangled or stranded turtles to local wildlife authorities