Threats to Sea Turtles
Overharvesting and Illegal Trade
Sea turtles continue to be harvested unsustainably for food, income, medicine, and religious ceremonies. Tens of thousands are lost each year, overwhelming populations of already endangered species like green and hawksbill turtles. International trade in all sea turtle species and their parts is banned under CITES, yet illegal trafficking persists.
Habitat Loss
Sea turtles depend on beaches for nesting. Coastal development, vehicle traffic, and human activity have destroyed or disturbed nesting areas globally. Artificial lights disorient hatchlings, compacted sand prevents nest digging, and coral reefs and seagrass feeding grounds are damaged by sedimentation, nutrient runoff, and beach restoration projects.
Climate Change
Environmental conditions, especially temperature, affect all stages of a sea turtle’s life. Warmer temperatures skew hatchling sex ratios toward females, reduce foraging grounds, and increasingly severe storms and sea-level rise destroy critical nesting beaches.
Pollution
Sea turtles can mistake floating plastics for jellyfish, which can be fatal. Lost fishing gear entangles them, preventing swimming or feeding. Litter on beaches can trap hatchlings, and oil spills poison turtles of all ages.
