Bycatch in fishing gear remains one of the leading threats to global sea turtle populations; technical and regulatory interventions can dramatically reduce mortality.
Sea turtles entangled in or hooked on fishing gear suffer acute stress and, in submerged gear, drown. Turtles that survive capture experience trauma from hook injuries, net abrasion, and the stress of restraint. Mitigation measures including TEDs, circle hooks, de-hooking and de-entanglement training for crew, and area-based seasonal closures during nesting seasons can significantly reduce bycatch mortality. Observer programmes that document bycatch are essential for assessing the scale of the problem and enforcing regulations. Consumer choice of sustainably certified seafood incentivises compliance in commercial fisheries.