Leatherback Sea Turtle Welfare and Deep Diving

Leatherback sea turtles are the largest reptiles on Earth and extraordinary deep divers, facing severe threats from plastic ingestion, longline bycatch, and egg poaching that have caused catastrophic population declines.

Key Facts

Leatherbacks can weigh over 900 kg and are the largest living reptiles
They can dive to depths of over 1,000 metres to pursue jellyfish prey
Pacific leatherback populations have declined by over 95% since the 1980s
Plastic bags floating in the ocean are mistaken for jellyfish and cause fatal gut blockages
Longline fisheries bycatch is a major cause of leatherback mortality in the Pacific and Atlantic
Egg poaching at major nesting beaches in Southeast Asia remains a serious threat

Welfare Considerations

Leatherback welfare is shaped by the convergence of multiple severe threats acting simultaneously. Plastic ingestion causes slow death by gastrointestinal obstruction — a prolonged welfare harm that may affect millions of marine turtles annually. Longline entanglement causes drowning or exhaustion from dragging fishing gear. Egg poaching at nesting beaches eliminates entire cohorts. Pacific leatherback population collapse has been dramatic and continues despite protection measures. The leatherback is physiologically extraordinary — warm-bodied, deep-diving, able to survive cold waters that other sea turtles cannot — making their decline a loss of irreplaceable biological diversity alongside the welfare harm to individual animals.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption to decrease ocean plastic ingested by sea turtles
Support longline fishing bycatch mitigation requirements for leatherback critical habitat
Donate to Leatherback Trust and Pacific leatherback nesting beach protection programmes
Advocate for egg poaching enforcement and community income alternatives in Southeast Asia
Raise awareness about leatherback population collapse and the urgency of remaining threats