Sea turtles face multiple human-caused threats across their long lives. Understanding the welfare implications of these threats helps advocates prioritize effective interventions.
Sea turtle welfare is threatened across every life stage. Hatchlings face predation and disorientation from coastal light pollution that causes them to travel inland rather than toward the sea. Juveniles and adults face bycatch in longline and trawl fisheries — drowning is often preceded by struggle and injury. Plastic ingestion causes chronic gut blockage and buoyancy impairment that prevents diving. Disease from fibropapillomatosis causes large external and internal tumors that impair feeding, vision, and locomotion. Beach development and off-road vehicles threaten nesting females and eggs. The range of threats across the ocean and coastal environments makes sea turtle welfare a cross-cutting issue requiring both marine and terrestrial conservation action.