Marine Life

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Bycatch

Loggerhead sea turtles are caught in significant numbers as bycatch in longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish, causing drowning, injuries, and mortality in a vulnerable population.

Key Facts

Loggerheads are caught on longlines at an estimated rate of over 200,000 per year globally
Drowning is the primary cause of death for turtles caught on submerged longlines
Circle hooks reduce sea turtle bycatch by 85% compared to J-hooks with minimal impact on target catch
Sea turtles have slow reproductive rates, making bycatch mortality a serious population threat
Mandatory use of turtle excluder devices in trawl fisheries has reduced mortality substantially

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles caught on longlines experience drowning death if lines are left set for long periods, or face hook injuries and stress if removed alive. The drowning process in air-breathing animals involves acute oxygen deprivation. Even turtles released alive may have internal injuries, embedded hooks, or stress responses that reduce survival. The scale of bycatch across global longline fleets represents massive, largely preventable suffering.

What You Can Do

Choose MSC-certified or pole-and-line caught seafood products
Support organizations advocating for mandatory circle hook use in longline fisheries
Donate to sea turtle bycatch research and monitoring programs
Advocate for stronger bycatch reduction regulations in international fisheries agreements
Raise awareness about seafood certification and its role in reducing bycatch