Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), East Atlantic Ocean (key nesting sites: Congo; Sao Tome et Principe) This poorly studied, small population nests at only a few sites scattered along the West African coast. It is also under severe threat from coastal net bycatch and consumption of eggs and meat, as well as exploitation of shell material for handicrafts and jewlery. © Jacques Fretey PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted. REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Kartik Shanker must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

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Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), Northeast Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Myanmar)

This is a very small population that has not been monitored consistently, so we don’t know much about them. They make this list because they are under high threat, mostly due to fisheries bycatch in trawls and nets, as well as ongoing development of coastal areas where they nest.

© Thushan Kapurusinghe

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Jason Bradley must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing

Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) (arribadas), Northeast Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: India)

Given the massive numbers of olive ridleys that nest in a few places in India each year, it might seem hard to believe that these olive ridleys are among the most endangered populations in the world. However, due to extremely intense pressures from trawl bycatch and consumption of turtle eggs and meat, the seemingly abundant ridleys have declined dramatically region-wide – both at mass nesting sites as well as beaches where turtles nest in smaller numbers. More recently, development of major shipping ports along the coast of India has become a major cause of concern for these populations.

© M. Muralidharan

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © M. Muralidharan must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), West Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: India; Oman)

Although olive ridleys nest sites are scattered all along the western coast of India and in other countries, they only nest in small numbers throughout the region. They have been declining due to intense trawl bycatch and consumption of eggs and turtles, especially in India. In addition, these ridleys are threatened on land and in the water by coastal development and shipping, respectively.

© Alan F. Rees

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Alan F. Rees must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Northeast Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: India; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh)

Like loggerheads and olive ridleys in this region, severe threats have depleted this hawksbill population. Compounding these problems, the size and status of this population is poorly known, making monitoring and conservation work very important for their continued survival.

© Pankaj Sekhsaria

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Alan F. Rees must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

The World's Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations

© Conservation International

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © CI Conservation International / Illustrations by Cesar Iandazabal / Diagram by Billy Candela must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing

Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), East Atlantic Ocean (key nesting sites: Congo; Sao Tome et Principe)

This poorly studied, small population nests at only a few sites scattered along the West African coast. It is also under severe threat from coastal net bycatch and consumption of eggs and meat, as well as exploitation of shell material for handicrafts and jewlery.

© Jacques Fretey

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Kartik Shanker must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), East Pacific Ocean (key nesting sites: El Salvador; Nicaragua; Ecuador)

Until a few years ago, marine turtle experts knew virtually nothing about this population. Thanks to recent collaborative efforts by regional conservationists to locate and protect them, hawksbills appear to be hanging on in the East Pacific. However, their use of habitats previously unknown to scientists (mangrove estuaries!), extremely low numbers, and severe threats of coastal bycatch and egg consumption earn them a spot on this list.

© BRYAN WALLACE

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Kartik Shanker must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), Northeast Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: India)

Given the massive numbers of olive ridleys that nest in a few places in India each year, it might seem hard to believe that these olive ridleys are among the most endangered populations in the world. However, due to extremely intense pressures from trawl bycatch and consumption of turtle eggs and meat, the seemingly abundant ridleys have declined dramatically region-wide – both at mass nesting sites as well as beaches where turtles nest in smaller numbers. More recently, development of major shipping ports along the coast of India has become a major cause of concern for these populations.

© Kartik Shanker

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Kartik Shanker must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), East Pacific Ocean (key nesting sites: Mexico; Nicaragua; Costa Rica)

Despite decades of conservation efforts, leatherbacks in the East Pacific have declined by 90% in the past 20 years due to egg consumption and bycatch. Coastal development looms as the next threat to their survival.

© Jason Bradley/BradleyPhotographic.com

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Jason Bradley must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing

Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), East Atlantic Ocean (key nesting sites: Congo; Sao Tome et Principe)

This poorly studied, small population nests at only a few sites scattered along the West African coast. It is also under severe threat from coastal net bycatch and consumption of eggs and meat, as well as exploitation of shell material for handicrafts and jewlery.

© Jacques Fretey

PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release titled “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” by Conservation International. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Kartik Shanker must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice and caption referencing the press release on the “Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified” are subject to paid licensing.

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