Report: Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches at Risk due to Climate Change

Turtle Island Restoration Network’s Report ‘Deadly Water’ Details High-risk Turtle Nesting Beaches and Recommends Action to Protect Key Habitats

Olema, Calif. (August 29, 2015) – Turtle Island Restoration Network’s new report, ‘Deadly Water: The Threat of Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels to Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches’ examines the impacts of sea level rise on major sea turtle nesting beaches for the seven species of sea turtles. The report identifies major nesting beaches that are at risk from climate change such as French Frigate Shoals in Hawaii where green sea turtles nest, and Padre Island National Seashore in Texas where Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nest.

As all seven species of sea turtles are listed as endangered, threatened or vulnerable by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), national agencies, or international conservation bodies. Thus, the loss of key nesting habitat could be detrimental to turtle populations if not urgently addressed.

"When it comes to saving sea turtles in the face of climate change, every year that we don’t act pushes these species closer to extinction," said Peter Fugazzotto, author of the Turtle Island report. "As shown by our report, turtle beaches from Hawaii to Costa Rica are in danger if sea levels rise, but there is also still time to take action and protect these habitats."

The ability of sea turtles to be resilient to climate change depends on sea turtles populations being robust and their habitat being protected.

In addition to the impacts of climate change, issues like coastal development, illegal egg harvesting and sea turtle bycatch in industrial fishing operations further threaten sea turtle populations. Turtle Island’s report recommends that communities also address these issues in order to protect nesting turtle beaches.

Download the 'Deadly Waters' report by clicking here: https://seaturtles.org/deadlywaters/

Get the Fact Sheet by clicking here: https://seaturtles.org/resources/climate-change-sea-turtle-nesting-beaches-fact-sheet/

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Turtle Island Restoration Network works to mobilize people and communities around the world to protect marine wildlife, the oceans and the inland waterways that sustain them. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. SeaTurtles.Org