Marine Debris and Sea Turtle Welfare

Marine debris, particularly plastic bags and ghost fishing gear, causes significant welfare harm to sea turtles through ingestion, entanglement, and internal injuries.

Key Facts

Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their primary prey in some species
An estimated 52% of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic
Ghost fishing gear entanglement drowns sea turtles and causes flipper amputations
Ingested plastic causes internal blockages, false satiation, and toxic chemical exposure
Beach clean-ups and bycatch reduction programs are among the most effective interventions

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles that ingest plastic experience internal obstruction, perforation, toxic chemical accumulation, and false satiation that prevents them from consuming nutritious food. Entanglement in ghost nets causes panic, exhaustion, and drowning, or slow necrosis of flippers cut by tight lines. Turtles washed ashore covered in petroleum products suffer respiratory and skin damage. These injuries often require intensive and expensive veterinary rehabilitation with uncertain outcomes.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption to decrease ocean plastic pollution
Participate in beach and river clean-up events to remove debris before it reaches the sea
Support organizations rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea turtles
Advocate for stronger regulations on ghost fishing gear retrieval and plastic waste