Additional Coverage:
- Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds (nbcnews.com)
Sea Turtle Populations Rebounding Globally, But Challenges Remain
In a promising turn for marine conservation, a new global survey reveals that endangered sea turtle populations are recovering in most of their habitats worldwide. The study, published in Endangered Species Research, offers an encouraging update on the status of these ancient mariners.
Researchers examined 48 sea turtle populations, assessing the impact of various threats, including hunting, pollution, coastal development, and climate change. The results indicate a decline in these threats in over half of the studied areas. “The sea turtle story is one of the real conservation success stories,” remarked Duke ecologist Stuart Pimm, who was not involved in the research.
While the overall trend is positive, some species and regions face ongoing challenges. Atlantic populations show stronger recovery compared to those in the Pacific, and leatherback turtles lag behind other species in their recovery progress.
Leatherbacks, known for their incredible migrations of up to 3,700 miles, face high environmental risks across all seven regions they inhabit. These extensive journeys may expose them to a wider range of threats, according to study co-author Bryan Wallace, a wildlife ecologist at Ecolibrium in Colorado.
Green sea turtles, while still endangered globally, offer a beacon of hope. Their populations are rebounding in many areas, particularly in coastal waters off Mexico and the U.S.
“By ending commercial harvests and allowing them time to rebound, their populations are now doing really well,” explained study co-author Michelle María Early Capistrán, a Stanford University researcher. She credits the U.S.
Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Mexico’s 1990 ban on sea turtle captures, along with efforts to protect nesting beaches and reduce accidental bycatch, for these positive changes.
Despite the progress, the accidental entanglement of sea turtles in fishing gear remains a significant threat. While new technologies are being developed to mitigate this, their widespread adoption by diverse fishing communities is crucial for their effectiveness. This study, the first update in over a decade, highlights both the successes and ongoing challenges in sea turtle conservation.