Most species of sea turtle are endangered. Globally, the
Kemp's ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback sea turtles are listed as
"Critically Endangered", the loggerhead and green as "Endangered", the
olive ridley as "Vulnerable" and the flatback as "Data Deficient",
meaning that its conservation status is unclear due to lack of data.
One of the most significant threats now comes from bycatch
due to imprecise fishing methods. Long-lining has been identified as a
major cause of accidental sea turtle death. There is also black-market
demand for tortoiseshell for both decoration and supposed health
benefits. Sea turtles must surface to breathe. Caught in a fisherman's
net, they are unable to surface and thus drown. In early 2007, almost a
thousand sea turtles were killed inadvertently in the Bay of Bengal over
the course of a few months after netting.
Beach development is another area which threatens sea turtles. The demand of tourist who want to sunbath is a big problem for the sea turtles. The turtle and the tourist compete of the sea turtles natural breathing ground. Eggs that have been dug down can be crushed by the tourists and the littre from the tourist like a plastic bag can easelly be mistake of a jellyfish by the sea turtles. The plastic bag is a death trap for turtles and get stuck in the stomac.
Since hatchlings find their way to the ocean by crawling towards the brightest horizon, they can become disoriented on developed stretches of coastline. Lighting restrictions can prevent lights from shining on the beach and confusing hatchlings. Sea turtle-safe lighting uses red or amber LED light, invisible to sea turtles, in place of white light.
Climate change may also cause a threat to sea turtles. Since sand temperature at nesting beaches defines the sex of a sea turtle while developing in the egg, there is concern that rising temperatures may produce too many females.
It's not only the sea turtles that are endangered, the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Due to the exotic pet trade and habitat destruction the species has become protected by states, and is considered a threatened species. This endangerment brought it to Asia and Europe with a breeding/research center found in Japan.
The alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their carapaces; the plastron of the turtle is valued because of its shape as a cross. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposely and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy.
Beach development is another area which threatens sea turtles. The demand of tourist who want to sunbath is a big problem for the sea turtles. The turtle and the tourist compete of the sea turtles natural breathing ground. Eggs that have been dug down can be crushed by the tourists and the littre from the tourist like a plastic bag can easelly be mistake of a jellyfish by the sea turtles. The plastic bag is a death trap for turtles and get stuck in the stomac.
Since hatchlings find their way to the ocean by crawling towards the brightest horizon, they can become disoriented on developed stretches of coastline. Lighting restrictions can prevent lights from shining on the beach and confusing hatchlings. Sea turtle-safe lighting uses red or amber LED light, invisible to sea turtles, in place of white light.
Climate change may also cause a threat to sea turtles. Since sand temperature at nesting beaches defines the sex of a sea turtle while developing in the egg, there is concern that rising temperatures may produce too many females.
It's not only the sea turtles that are endangered, the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Due to the exotic pet trade and habitat destruction the species has become protected by states, and is considered a threatened species. This endangerment brought it to Asia and Europe with a breeding/research center found in Japan.
The alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their carapaces; the plastron of the turtle is valued because of its shape as a cross. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposely and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy.
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