Understanding the challenges turtles face worldwide
All seven species of sea turtles are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Their decline is not caused by any single factor, it is the result of overlapping human impacts on every stage of the turtle lifecycle, from egg to adult. Effective conservation requires understanding each threat and addressing them together.
Warming sands, rising seas & shifting ocean currents
Plastic debris, chemical runoff & oil spills
Coastal development, dredging & reef degradation
The sex of sea turtle hatchlings is determined by nest temperature: warmer sand produces more females. Studies from our Florida and Costa Rica projects show that some beaches already produce over 90% female clutches. Without males, populations cannot reproduce. Rising sea levels simultaneously threaten nesting beaches with erosion and flooding, while stronger hurricanes destroy nests and reshape coastlines overnight.
On the Riviera Maya, including Tulum and the Xcacel sanctuary, storm surge and beach erosion have become recurring problems that force more frequent nest relocations. Shade structures and careful hatchery management can help regulate temperature in the short term, but the underlying driver is global and requires sustained action on emissions and coastal planning.
It is estimated that over half of all sea turtles have ingested plastic at some point in their lives. Beyond plastics, agricultural runoff introduces nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel harmful algal blooms. Red tides kill seagrass beds and poison turtles that breathe and feed in affected waters. Chemical pollutants like PCBs and heavy metals accumulate in turtle tissues over decades, potentially affecting immune function and reproduction.
Plastic enters the ocean through rivers, storm drains, fishing gear, and direct litter on beaches. A bottle dropped in a inland city can eventually reach the Caribbean and end up in the path of a foraging turtle. That is why our pollution work includes inland education and waste management advocacy, not just beach cleanups.
Coastal development removes the dark, quiet beaches turtles need for nesting. Seawalls and jetties block access to nesting sites and alter sand deposition patterns. In the water, trawling and anchor damage destroy seagrass meadows and coral reefs that serve as essential feeding and shelter habitat for juvenile and adult turtles alike.
The Riviera Maya has seen some of the fastest coastal development in the Americas over the past two decades. Sanctuaries like Xcacel and protected areas like Sian Ka'an show that conservation is still possible in high-growth regions, but only when development is planned with nesting habitat, lagoon health, and reef connectivity in mind from the start.
Commercial and artisanal fisheries accidentally capture tens of thousands of sea turtles each year. Longlines, gillnets, and trawls are the deadliest gear types. See our Sustainable Fishing page for how MTF works with fishing communities to reduce these impacts.
Despite international protections, turtle eggs, meat, and shells are still traded illegally in some regions. Hawksbill turtles are targeted specifically for their beautiful shell, which is crafted into jewelry and ornaments. MTF's Yucatán project has campaigned successfully against the turtle-shell trade, and our community education programs address the cultural and economic drivers of poaching.
Every threat has a corresponding action. Reduce your plastic use. Support renewable energy. Choose sustainably caught seafood. Advocate for coastal protection policies. Volunteer with or donate to organizations like MTF that address these threats on the ground. Visit our Actions You Can Take page for a complete guide.