Sea Turtle Bycatch Welfare and Solutions

Sea turtles are accidentally caught in fishing gear globally, causing drowning, injury and death. Conservation and welfare solutions overlap significantly.

Key Facts

An estimated 250,000 sea turtles are caught accidentally in longline fisheries annually
All seven sea turtle species are threatened or endangered
Longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries are major bycatch threats
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) reduce sea turtle bycatch in shrimp trawl fisheries
Circle hooks reduce sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries by 90% compared to J-hooks
Sea turtles can drown if held underwater in gear for extended periods
Bycatch reduction technology adoption is increasing but remains incomplete globally

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtle bycatch involves drowning, physical injury from gear entanglement, and stress that may be fatal. The welfare and conservation case for bycatch reduction is identical - preventing entanglement saves both individuals and populations. Technology exists to dramatically reduce sea turtle bycatch with minimal impact on target species catch. The challenge is industry adoption and regulatory enforcement.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by schemes requiring bycatch reduction technology
Ask seafood retailers and restaurants about their supplier bycatch management policies
Support regulatory requirements for TEDs and circle hooks in relevant fisheries
Donate to sea turtle conservation and bycatch reduction advocacy organisations