Sea turtle bycatch in fishing gear is a major source of turtle mortality and suffering, with mitigation measures demonstrating effective reduction in bycatch rates.
Sea turtle bycatch causes acute suffering through entanglement in longlines - turtles are air-breathing animals that drown if unable to reach the surface, and may struggle and sustain injuries for extended periods before drowning. Trawl bycatch involves similar drowning risks. Turtles that survive bycatch interactions may be physically injured from hook ingestion, line entanglement injuries, or physical trauma from the catch process. The welfare case for bycatch reduction measures is supported by clear evidence of their effectiveness - TEDs reduce mortality by over 90% in shrimp fisheries, and circle hooks dramatically reduce longline bycatch. Consumer choice of sustainable seafood certified under programs with bycatch standards directly supports fisheries implementing these welfare-protective measures.