Hawksbill and Green turtle in the Caribbean UKOTs

Marine turtles have been around for millions of years, covering great distances in our ocean and playing a crucial role in marine and coastal ecosystems.

About turtles

From keeping ocean habitats healthy and boosting local economies, to providing shelter and transport for ocean creatures, turtles play an important role in our seas.

There are seven different species of marine turtle, six of which have been recorded in UK waters.

Hard-shelled species of marine turtles are normally found in warmer seas and aren’t suited to the climate of UK waters. Those which are found in our waters are typically juveniles which have been carried off course.

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marine turtles found in UK seas

The leatherback, the largest marine turtle, is the species most frequently recorded in UK waters.

As the name suggests, leatherback turtles have a leathery skin covering their backs (called a carapace), rather than a hard shell. They can survive in our temperate waters by maintaining a warm body temperature - the only reptile known to have this ability.

Why are turtles important animals to protect?

Protecting coral reefs and seagrass beds

Hawksbill turtles play a vital role in keeping coral reefs healthy. Reefs rely on sea sponges to recover and recycle key nutrients released by corals. If allowed to overgrow, sea sponges can suffocate corals. By eating sea sponges, hawksbills help prevent them from overgrowing, and protect precious coral reefs.

A green turtle swimming over a seagrass bed in the Caribbean UKOTs

Credit: Peter Richardson

Providing shelter, transport and food

Barnacles, algae, crustaceans and other small creatures attach themselves to turtles, while fish swim underneath them, sheltering from predators. One loggerhead turtle was found with up to one hundred species of plants and animals living on it!

Turtles also act as a food source for many animals which prey on them – both in and out of the ocean. Crabs, birds, fish, and land mammals such as cats, dogs, and raccoons feed on hatchlings, while larger sea creatures like sharks, saltwater crocodiles, and orcas prey on adult turtles.

Boosting beaches and sea sediments

When female turtles lay their eggs and nest on beaches, they provide important nutrients for sand and vegetation.

Unhatched eggs and empty eggshells act as a fertiliser for dune vegetation and beach grasses, encouraging growth which helps stabilise dunes and protect them from coastal erosion.

Hawksbill hatchlings - Sue Ranger MCS

Hawksbill hatchlings

Credit: Sue Ranger, MCS

Culture and tourism

Marine turtles hold spiritual and symbolic significance in various cultures around the world. The beliefs and symbolism of marine turtles depend on the culture. They can symbolise long life and abundance, patience, wisdom, endurance, a connection to Mother Earth, a connection to the past, or may be seen as messengers from ancestors.

Turtles also generate income and ecotourism opportunities for coastal communities. Whether hatching from eggs, charging to the sea or swimming through reefs, people go to watch these charismatic creatures – providing an economic boost to the communities they visit.

And, of course some countries still eat turtles, with harvests ranging from the massive commercial harvests of 8,000 to 11,000 green turtles caught per year in Nicaragua, to the small subsistence fisheries of less than 10 turtles per year in Montserrat. As long as these fisheries are managed sustainably, they can provide important cultural benefits to the communities that use them, as well as support much-needed food security for generations to come in an uncertain world with a changing climate.

Threats to turtles

These extraordinary creatures are threatened as a result of a range of human activities, from beach front development, plastic pollution and worst of all, climate change. We’re working to help protect them, and you can play your part, too, by reporting any turtles you encounter.

Decades of over-harvesting and exploitation have decimated marine turtle populations around the world. Other threats include:

  • Incidental capture – turtles are often accidentally caught in fishing equipment such as long-line hooks or gill nets
  • Habitat loss – industrial development and tourism can reduce the quality of feeding and nesting grounds
  • Climate change – turbulent weather, rising sea levels and increased temperatures are impacting turtles and their habitats
  • Predation – while turtles have natural predators such as crabs, birds and sharks, introduced species such as feral pigs and dogs can take a great toll on turtle eggs and hatchings
  • Pollution – turtles confuse plastic bags as their food source jellyfish, with many dying through ingesting this and other marine litter.

Conservation and restoration

The 14 UK Overseas Territories are a fascinating and diverse set of islands. Through various projects, we're supporting our UKOT partners in the protection and management of their fragile environments and species. Our projects in the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, and Montserrat work alongside local communities to develop management and conservation measures to ensure a future for these incredible species.

In the UK, our turtle sightings project gathers reports of turtles in UK seas. We use this information to understand how environmental changes are affecting turtles, and support the rescue of stranded turtles for rehabilitation.

For over a decade, we've been working with communities to develop a shared appreciation and deeper understanding of the all the ways in which the ocean benefits them. We use the Community Voice Method to understand the values and views people have of turtles in the UK Overseas Territories which helps us shape management and conservation measures that work for everyone.