What Can You Do to Save Sea Turtles

Give Sea Turtles Space

Observe sea turtles from a safe and respectful distance to prevent disturbing them. Do not swim with, ride, approach, touch, or attempt to interact with sea turtles in the wild, for their safety and yours. If people or pets disturb a nesting turtle, she might abandon her nesting attempt and return to water.

Sea turtles in the water may be shy and flee an area if disturbed. In areas where sea turtles are used to people in the water with them, they may bite or bump into people., which could cause injuries.

Become a Responsible Seafood Consumer

Ask where and how your seafood was caught. Choose seafood caught in ways that do not harm or kill turtles. Consult sustainable seafood information networks, like NOAA's FishWatch , to learn about how and where your seafood is caught.

How Can You Help Keep Waterways and Beaches Safe for Sea Turtles?

• Keep our rivers and oceans free of trash
• Keep nesting beaches dark and safe for sea turtles by turning off, shielding, or redirecting lights visible from the beach, which can disorient hatchling sea turtles and discourage nesting females from coming onto the beach to lay their eggs
• Attend an organized sea turtle walk to safely observe nesting sea turtles and ensure turtles, nests, and hatchlings are not disturbed
• Remove recreational beach equipment like chairs, umbrellas, and canopies at night so sea turtles do not become entangled and have open spaces to nest
• Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave the beach-holes are dangerous hazards for nesting turtles and hatchlings, and sand castles present major obstacles for tiny hatchlings on their way to the water

What Should You Do if You See a Sea Turtle in Distress?

If you see a sick, injured or dead sea turtle, contact your local sea turtle stranding network . Or, if circumstances warrant while on the water, contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. Your call will start a potentially life-saving response by dedicated, trained responders.

All sea turtles are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It's especially important that sick or injured turtles receive appropriate treatment so they can be released back into the population.

After you report a turtle in distress, keep the animal in sight from a safe distance. If possible, wait for responders to arrive. Responders mobilize quickly, but depending on the location, it could take a few minutes to a few hours for them to arrive. Sea turtles are very strong, and a stressed animal can act unpredictably, so give them space.

How Can You Keep Sea Turtles Safe When Boating or Fishing?

Go Slow: Sea Turtles Below!

Sea turtles are found in oceans, bays, sounds, and nearshore waters in all U.S. coastal states, as far north as Maine and occasionally Alaska. Turtles come to the surface for air, and they can be difficult to see. Boat strikes are a serious threat to sea turtles, so slow down, keep a look out, and give them space.

How to Avoid Boat Strikes

• Post a lookout for sea turtles in the water, especially off nesting beaches and near foraging areas like seagrass beds, reefs, and places where jellyfish swarm
• Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare and help spot animals in the water
• Drive slowly when entering and exiting small boat harbors, near boat ramps, and adhere to slow, no wake zones
• Give them space: If you see a turtle close to your boat, put your engine in neutral to avoid injury, and allow it to pass-when all is clear, move away slowly.

Be Careful with Fishing Gear

• Never abandon fishing gear-hooks, lines, or nets left in the water can entangle and kill sea turtles
• Recycle fishing line and discard old gear responsibly in trash receptacles
• Use barbless circle hooks and/or artificial bait
• Change fishing location if sea turtles are in the area and show interest in your bait or catch-don't cast your line if a sea turtle is in the area
• Check your bait often: Checking and recasting gear reduces the potential for hooking or entanglement by relocating a baited hook away from a curious turtle
• Discard bait or fish remains in appropriate containers, not the water-sea turtles may associate discards with food and be at risk of capture or entanglement in hook and line gear
• Watch your gear, and never leave it unattended
• Report accidental interactions to your local sea turtle stranding network

More fishing tips to protect sea turtles