Top sea turtle experts from around the globe have discovered that almost half (45%) of the world’s threatened sea turtle populations are found in the northern Indian Ocean. The study also determined that the most significant threats across all of the threatened populations of sea turtles are fisheries bycatch, accidental catches of sea turtles by fishermen targeting other species, and the direct harvest of turtles or their eggs for food or turtle shell material for commercial use. A study done by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) and supported by Conservation International (CI) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is the first comprehensive status assessment of all sea turtle populations globally. The study also highlighted the 12 healthiest sea turtle populations in the world, which are large and currently populations facing relatively low threats. These include populations of Hawksbill turtles that nest in the Seychelles. See this story here. Alongside the report are maps which show both the threatened and healthy populations.
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- Map of the 11 most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations2.81MB
- Map of The 12 Healthiest Sea Turtle Populations2.90MB
