From the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the rugged Pacific edges of California, sea turtles have long graced American waters with quiet resilience. But today, these ancient mariners face mounting threats—and a growing wave of conservation efforts is rising to meet them.
Sea turtle protection in the U.S. is a coast-to-coast endeavor, with hotspots including:
- Florida: Home to nearly 90% of all U.S. sea turtle nesting, especially along the Atlantic coast.
- Georgia: Ossabaw, Cumberland, and Tybee Islands host vital nesting grounds and research stations.
- South Carolina: Folly Beach and other barrier islands support rehab and release programs.
- Texas: Padre Island National Seashore is a key nesting site for Kemp’s ridley turtles.
- California & Hawaii: While nesting is rare, foraging and migration routes are critical.
- Puerto Rico: Leatherback nesting beaches are under review for federal protection.
- Louisiana: The Chandeleur Islands recently saw a historic nesting season for Kemp’s Ridley turtles.
These efforts are powered by a mix of federal agencies (NOAA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife), state departments, nonprofits, aquariums, and passionate volunteers.
WHERE IN THE USA ARE THESE TURTLES FOUND?
Six of the world’s seven sea turtle species are found in U.S. waters—all protected under the Endangered Species Act:
Green Turtles are herbivorous that nest in Florida & Hawaii.
Loggerheads use theuir powerful jaws to eat shellfish. They nest in the South East US.
The omnivorous Olive Ridley sea turtles are rare in the United States but sometimes appear on our Pacific Coast. All three of these turtles are listed as a threatened species.
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles. They spend most of their lives at sea, eating mostly jellyfish. Found along the U.S. East Coast, from Florida up to Massachusetts, in the Gulf of Mexico, and off the Pacific Coast from California up to Alaska, as well as in the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Hawaii, a few of them nest on the Atlantic coast of Florida.
Hawksbill sea turtles are coral reef dwellers with beautiful shells. They are a tropical species found in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and the coastal waters of southern Florida and the Florida Keys, with rare sightings in the Texas Gulf Coast. They are also present in the habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Both Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles are endangered species now.
Finally, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles are critically endangered. They are the smallest sea turtles and nest in the Gulf of Mexico.
Each species plays a vital role in marine ecosystems—from maintaining seagrass beds to balancing coral reef health.
A Hawksbill Sea Turtle
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR THREATS TO SEA TURTLES IN THE USA?
Despite their evolutionary endurance, sea turtles face a perfect storm of modern threats:
- Bycatch: Accidental capture in fishing gear is the leading threat. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) have helped, but challenges remain.
- Habitat Loss: Coastal development, beach erosion, and rising seas reduce nesting areas. Female sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field to return to the general area where they were born to nest and lay eggs. Natal homing doesn't work as well when that beach has been modified into a more dangerous nesting sight.
- Pollution: Marine debris, plastics, and oil spills (like Deepwater Horizon) cause injury and death.
- Artificial Lighting: Disorients hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean.
- Predation: Feral hogs, coyotes, and raccoons raid nests, especially in Georgia’s barrier islands.
- Disease: Fibropapillomatosis causes debilitating tumors, especially in green turtles.
- Climate Change: Alters sand temperatures (affecting hatchling sex ratios) and increases storm frequency.
HOW CAN WE HELP SEA TURTLES SURVIVE?
Whether you're beachside or landlocked, you can be part of the solution:
- Support local turtle conservation groups and aquariums.
- Reduce plastic use and participate in beach cleanups.
- Keep lights off near nesting beaches.
- Report stranded or injured turtles to wildlife hotlines.
- Advocate for sustainable fishing practices and habitat protection
As mentioned above, a percentage of the profits we make at seaturtlesupply.com goes to nonprofit organizations that make a meaningful impact in the effort to protect sea turtles in the wild and preserve these species for future generations.