Sea Turtles | NOAA Fisheries
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/sea-turtles
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Sea Turtles | NOAA Fisheries
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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
More Information
Sea Turtle Recovery Plans
Sea Turtle ESA Status Reviews
5-Year Reviews for Sea Turtles
Species in the Spotlight: Pacific Leatherback Turtle
What Can You Do To Save Sea Turtles?
Sea Turtles and Recreational Fishing
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
Species Directory - Sea Turtles
Species News
Feature Story
Celebrate the Holidays with Our Ink, Blot, and Stumpy Paper Snowflakes
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Gearing Up: Turtle Excluder Devices Strengthen Fisheries and Help Recover Sea Turtle Populations
Southeast
Feature Story
Small Modifications to Turtle Excluder Devices Have Big Impacts for Gulf Sea Turtles
Southeast
Feature Story
Swim into Sea Turtle Week
National
More News
Multimedia
Photo Gallery
Papahānaumokuākea: 2025 Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Field Season Highlights
Pacific Islands
Photo Gallery
2024 Ecosystem Monitoring Survey in Photos
New England/Mid-Atlantic
A loggerhead sea turtle swimming in a deep blue open ocean. Credit: Adobe Stock
Podcast
Tackling Sea Turtle Bycatch with International Fishing Communities
National
International
Photo Gallery
Share Some Love this Valentine’s Day
National
All Multimedia
Research
On-Demand Gear Guide
A roadmap for providing fishermen an option to use on-demand fishing systems in the Greater Atlantic Region by 2028.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Surveys in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
We conduct research and monitoring surveys to better understand the physical, biological, economic, and social components of marine ecosystems found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean from the Canadian Scotian Shelf to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Developing Viable On-Demand Gear Systems
On-demand gear development continues to evolve with the help of industry.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Protected Species Gear Research
We work closely with the commercial fishing industry to reduce the risk of harmful interactions with marine mammals, turtles, and other protected species listed under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
More Research
Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species
Learn how NOAA Fisheries works with partners to protect and recover endangered and threatened marine species.
Read More
Species
6
species match your filter criteria.
Green Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Turtle
Leatherback Turtle
Loggerhead Turtle
Olive Ridley Turtle
Skip to main content
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
More Information
Sea Turtle Recovery Plans
Sea Turtle ESA Status Reviews
5-Year Reviews for Sea Turtles
Species in the Spotlight: Pacific Leatherback Turtle
What Can You Do To Save Sea Turtles?
Sea Turtles and Recreational Fishing
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
Species Directory - Sea Turtles
Species News
Feature Story
Celebrate the Holidays with Our Ink, Blot, and Stumpy Paper Snowflakes
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Feature Story
Gearing Up: Turtle Excluder Devices Strengthen Fisheries and Help Recover Sea Turtle Populations
Southeast
Feature Story
Small Modifications to Turtle Excluder Devices Have Big Impacts for Gulf Sea Turtles
Southeast
Feature Story
Swim into Sea Turtle Week
National
More News
Multimedia
Photo Gallery
Papahānaumokuākea: 2025 Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Field Season Highlights
Pacific Islands
Photo Gallery
2024 Ecosystem Monitoring Survey in Photos
New England/Mid-Atlantic
A loggerhead sea turtle swimming in a deep blue open ocean. Credit: Adobe Stock
Podcast
Tackling Sea Turtle Bycatch with International Fishing Communities
National
International
Photo Gallery
Share Some Love this Valentine’s Day
National
All Multimedia
Research
On-Demand Gear Guide
A roadmap for providing fishermen an option to use on-demand fishing systems in the Greater Atlantic Region by 2028.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Surveys in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
We conduct research and monitoring surveys to better understand the physical, biological, economic, and social components of marine ecosystems found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean from the Canadian Scotian Shelf to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Developing Viable On-Demand Gear Systems
On-demand gear development continues to evolve with the help of industry.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Protected Species Gear Research
We work closely with the commercial fishing industry to reduce the risk of harmful interactions with marine mammals, turtles, and other protected species listed under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
More Research
Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species
Learn how NOAA Fisheries works with partners to protect and recover endangered and threatened marine species.
Read More
Species
6
species match your filter criteria.
Green Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Turtle
Leatherback Turtle
Loggerhead Turtle
Olive Ridley Turtle