Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are marine reptiles with streamlined bodies and large flippers that are well-adapted to life in the ocean. Six species are found in U.S. waters, all of which are listed and protected under the Endangered Species Act

Although sea turtles live most of their lives in the ocean, adult females lay their eggs on land. They migrate hundreds to thousands of miles every year between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. Leatherback turtles are among the most highly migratory animals on earth, traveling as many as 10,000 miles or more each year.

Sea turtles face significant threats around the world including:

  • Bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries
  • Loss and degradation of nesting and foraging habitats due to coastal development, pollution, and climate change
  • In some areas, killing of turtles and collection of eggs for consumption
  • Entanglement in marine debris
  • Vessel strikes

In the United States, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have shared jurisdiction for recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered sea turtles. We lead the conservation and recovery of sea turtles in the marine environment, while the U.S. FWS has the lead for the conservation and recovery of these animals on nesting beaches.

Internationally, the conservation and recovery of sea turtles requires multilateral cooperation to ensure the survival of these highly migratory species. We work to ensure the global conservation and recovery of sea turtles by working closely with other nations through diplomatic channels, capacity building, and scientific exchange.

Learn more about sea turtles


Species News

Multiple schools of colorful fish blanket a coral reef. Fish community on a reef offshore of Baker Island, a remote equatorial island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jeff Milisen
2 women and 2 men each holding a small sea turtle lean over the side of a ship about to release the turtles NOAA staff, with support from U.S. Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet, released 79 juvenile loggerhead sea turtles off of Florida's east coast. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Ben Higgins (Permit #20339-03)
Project staff standing in a sand hole removing nested turtle eggs and placing them on the top surface to count. A field ranger with the Buru Island leatherback turtle project excavates a nest to collect data on hatching success to measure reproductive output. Credit: Yayasan World Wildlife Fund-Indonesia/Dicky Bisinglasi

Research

Peer-Reviewed Research

Potential of Dynamic Ocean Management Strategies for Western Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Bycatch Mitigation in New Zealand

We explore the potential for dynamic ocean management in an emerging hotspot of leatherback sea…

Peer-Reviewed Research

Publications by Northeast Passive Acoustics Branch Staff

We regularly publish their findings in scientific journals and Center-produced documents.

Peer-Reviewed Research

Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) Accumulate Heavy Metals Near a Former Skeet Shooting Range in Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i

Determining levels of arsenic and antimony concentrations in green sea turtles resulting from lead…

Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species

Learn how NOAA Fisheries works with partners to protect and recover endangered and threatened marine species.

Hawaiian monk seal

Species

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