Plastic Pollution - Blog Posts

One of the major threats to sea turtles is entanglement in fishing gear and other marine debris. 

Each year, threatened green sea turtles make their way to breeding grounds in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Although these islands are largely uninhabited and are protected by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, ocean currents carry enormous quantities of trash here from around the world. More than 50 tons of debris enters monument waters each year! Here, fishing nets and other debris can entangle breeding adults and young hatchlings. 

You can help protect these and other sea turtles by reducing the amount of plastic you use and participating in beach and watershed cleanups. What actions will you take to protect 🐢? 

(Photo: Andy Collins/NOAA) 

[Image description: A green sea turtle rests on a beach. In the foreground is a pile of derelict fishing nets.]