Worldwide, six of the seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened or endangered due to human actions and lifestyles. The biggest threats include:
- Entanglement in fishing gear
- Poaching and illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells
- Coastal development
- Plastic and other marine debris
- Global warming
- Ocean pollution
- Turtleshell Trade
The world’s seven sea turtle species are classified as follows according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
- Leatherbacks: Vulnerable
- Greens: Endangered
- Loggerheads: Vulnerable
- Hawksbills: Critically Endangered
- Olive Ridleys: Vulnerable
- Kemp’s Ridleys: Critically Endangered
- Flatbacks: Data Deficient
Tests on more than 100 sea turtles—spanning three oceans and all seven species—have revealed microplastics in the guts of every single turtle.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.
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- Researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, working with the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, looked for synthetic particles (less than 5mm in length) including microplastics in 102 sea turtles in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean.
- Synthetic particles were found in all of the turtles, the most common being fibres, which can potentially come from sources including clothing, tyres, cigarette filters and maritime equipment such as ropes and fishing nets.
- The effect of these particles on turtles is unknown,”
- “Their small size means they can pass through the gut without causing a blockage, as is frequently reported with larger plastic fragments.
- microplastics may be affecting aquatic organisms
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- “For example, they may possibly carry contaminants, bacteria or viruses, or they may affect the turtle at a cellular or subcellular level. This requires further investigation.”
- Researchers do not currently understand how synthetic particles are ingested by turtles, but the likely sources are polluted seawater and sediments, and eating via prey or plants.
- “From our work over the years we have found microplastic in nearly all the species of marine animals we have looked at; from tiny zooplankton at the base of the marine food web to fish larvae, dolphins and now turtles.
- “This study provides more evidence that we all need to help reduce the amount of plastic waste released to our seas and maintain clean, healthy and productive oceans for future generations.”
- “Our society’s addiction to throwaway plastic is fuelling a global environmental crisis that must be tackled at source.”
- The paper, published in the journal Global Change Biology, is entitled: “Microplastic ingestion ubiquitous in marine turtles.”
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