1. Coastal Development:
* Beachfront development: Construction of hotels, resorts, and other infrastructure destroys nesting beaches and disrupts nesting cycles.
* Coastal erosion: Seawalls and other coastal protection structures can interrupt natural sand movement and reduce beach area available for nesting.
2. Pollution:
* Plastic pollution: Sea turtles mistake plastic for jellyfish and ingest it, leading to starvation, suffocation, and internal injuries.
* Chemical pollution: Runoff from agriculture, industrial activities, and sewage treatment plants can contaminate water and harm sea turtles.
* Oil spills: Oil spills can suffocate sea turtles, damage their skin, and disrupt their migration patterns.
3. Fishing:
* Bycatch: Sea turtles are often caught unintentionally in fishing nets, leading to drowning or serious injuries.
* Overfishing: Overfishing of prey species can reduce the food supply available for sea turtles.
4. Climate Change:
* Sea level rise: Rising sea levels can erode beaches and flood nesting sites, making them unsuitable for nesting.
* Ocean acidification: Increased acidity in the ocean can affect the growth and development of sea turtle eggs.
* Extreme weather events: Hurricanes and other extreme weather events can damage nesting beaches and disrupt sea turtle migration.
5. Human Disturbances:
* Light pollution: Artificial lighting on beaches can disorient hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the ocean.
* Beach traffic: Human activity on beaches can disturb nesting turtles and scare off hatchlings.
* Hunting and poaching: Sea turtles are hunted for their meat, shells, and eggs in some areas.
6. Habitat Degradation:
* Coastal erosion: Natural erosion of beaches can reduce the amount of suitable nesting habitat.
* Invasive species: Invasive species can outcompete native species and disrupt the ecosystem.
7. Illegal Trade:
* Sea turtle products: Sea turtle shells, meat, and eggs are illegally traded in some parts of the world.
All these factors contribute to the decline of sea turtle populations and threaten their long-term survival.