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General Threats to Marine Turtles
While turtles produce high numbers of offspring, very few survive the first year because of natural predators onshore and in the ocean. Human harvesting of turtle eggs and the hunting of living turtles for meat possess another risk. The marine turtles' slow sexual maturation period is a handicap; it takes decades for them to reach sexual maturity. Beach development threatens their breeding grounds, while commercial fishing threatens their migratory routes. Environmental pollution and disease pose additional dangers to the marine turtles.
The Flatback Turtle
The flatback turtle is the only species of the seven to not be listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, it has been identified as vulnerable by other respected groups and the IUCN is seeking further data to evaluate its risk level. The flatback's greatest threat is from the nets and lines of commercial fishing. There are approximately 10,000 nesting females.
The Green Turtle
The green turtle is listed as endangered by the IUCN. The green turtle faces several threats, including commercial fishing and the harvesting of its eggs. Additionally, green turtles are developing tumors, which might be linked to pollution. There are approximately 203,000 nesting females; however, the Mediterranean population is especially at risk and has been listed as critically endangered.
The Hawksbill Turtle
The hawksbill turtle is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. There is a large black market for hawksbill products, and the species faces additional threats from the loss of nesting habitat, harvesting of eggs, commercial fishing and pollution. There are approximately 8,000 nesting females.
The Kemp's Ridley Turtle
The Kemp's ridley turtle is the most endangered of all marine turtles. Found in the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic, this critically endangered species has a very limited range and a small nesting habitat. The turtles are threatened by commercial fishing, especially shrimp trawlers, and pollution. There are only approximately 1,000 nesting females.
The Leatherback Turtle
The leatherback turtle is the largest of the marine turtles, and one of the largest living reptiles. This critically endangered species is highly migratory, exposing it to threats from commercial fishing. This threat is amplified by the fact that leatherbacks migrate at shallow depths. There are approximately 34,000 nesting females; however, the Pacific leatherback population is as low as 2,300 nesting females.
The Loggerhead Turtle
Listed as endangered by the IUCN, the loggerhead turtle is also a highly migratory species. It faces threats from commercial fishing and beach development, especially in the Mediterranean. There are approximately 60,000 nesting females.
The Olive Ridley Turtle
The olive ridley turtle is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The turtle has never fully recovered from over-exploitation as a food source. Several threats make this recovery more difficult, including the harvesting of their eggs, commercial fishing and very limited breeding grounds. There are approximately 800,000 nesting females.