Coral Triangle
Protecting Marine Turtles in the Indo-Pacific
Learn more about WWF's turtle projects in the Coral Triangle
© Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon
Six of the world's seven marine turtle species are found in the Coral Triangle. Remarkably, despite the myriad threats these species face, many populations of marine turtles in the region can recover with adequate intervention.
The Threats
Turtle eggs are stolen for consumption, their shells are torn off to make handicrafts and they are hunted for their meat.
Meanwhile, as many as 200,000 loggerheads and 50,000 leatherbacks are caught annually by commercial long-line tuna, swordfish, and similar fisheries all over the world.
Just in the Pacific, the leatherback turtle population has dropped from 90,000 nesting females in the 1980s to approximately 2,000 [in 2004].
Because turtles play a crucial role in maintaining the health and productivity of marine food chains, WWF is working to:
- Protect turtles in critical nesting, foraging, and migratory habitats by establishing protected areas
- Reduce turtle bycatch through gear change and the promotion of best fishing practices.
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Take Action
Protect our oceans and marine resources by urging the President and the Senate to work to ratify the Law of the Sea Convention.
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Adopt a Turtle
Make a symbolic turtle adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts.
