What are the main threats to Mediterranean sea turtles?
Anthropogenic (human caused) threats are numerous and include degradation and/or loss of nesting habitat, sand compaction through driving vehicles on nesting beaches, sand raking and/or removal, marine pollution and disease, incidental catch by fisheries (specifically shrimp trawlers and long lines), boat strike by speeding boats, tourism development, etc. Currently, the biggest threat to sea turtles is fishing activity, with incidental catches of thousands of turtles each year.
