Sea Turtle Conservation and Welfare

Sea turtles face multiple anthropogenic threats from fishing bycatch to plastic pollution to beach development. Combining conservation and welfare perspectives improves the effectiveness of protection programs.

Key Facts

All seven sea turtle species are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered
Bycatch in longline fisheries kills an estimated 200,000 sea turtles annually
Plastic bag ingestion is a significant mortality cause as turtles mistake bags for jellyfish prey
Artificial lighting on nesting beaches disorients hatchlings navigating toward the sea
Sea turtles have survived for over 100 million years but face greater threats today than at any previous time

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtle welfare harms span their entire life cycle: entanglement in fishing gear causes drowning, plastic ingestion causes intestinal blockage and starvation, and artificial light disrupts the most vulnerable phase of life for hatchlings. Each individual sea turtle that survives to reproductive age represents a decades-long investment by nature. Welfare-informed conservation that minimizes the suffering of individuals caught in fishing gear and addresses plastic pollution provides both conservation and welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Eliminate single-use plastic bags and reduce plastic pollution entering marine environments
Support circle hook and turtle excluder device requirements in fisheries
Participate in beach cleanup programs that remove plastic and ghost gear
Donate to sea turtle conservation programs that combine welfare with population monitoring
Advocate for artificial light ordinances protecting sea turtle nesting beaches