The Pacific leatherback sea turtle has survived since the dinosaur age—and as the largest turtle species, this reptile is a giant in its own right. Yet today, these turtles are in imminent danger of extinction, in part because of declining numbers of viable nests. In Indonesia, which is the primary nesting habitat for the Western Pacific leatherback sea turtles, numbers have dropped by over 80%. In Mexico and Central America, the main sea turtle nesting grounds for their Eastern Pacific counterparts, the decline is over 90%. 

These turtles are vulnerable along their migration routes throughout the Pacific Ocean and coastal habitats in the Americas. Today, the greatest threats to the leatherback sea turtle population as a whole include:

• Fishing (including intentional and unintentional catches; the latter is called bycatch)
• General loss of habitat to coastal development and resource extraction
• Poaching
• Collisions with boats
• Pollution and climate change

Mothers and hatchlings face additional hazards during sea turtle nesting season:

• Human predation (for turtle meat and eggs, considered a delicacy in Central America)
• Poaching (selling turtle eggs into the illegal wildlife trade)
• Predation by native and non-native animal species
• Hatchling disorientation by beachfront lighting in populated areas
• Loss of nesting habitat to coastal development and resource extraction

Strategies for Protecting Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles

Although Pacific leatherback sea turtles are legally protected in the US, Mexico, and some Central American countries, many threats to the species require additional effort to eliminate. The following strategies can aid significantly in bringing this species back from the brink of extinction. 

Governments, companies, and other organizations can do the following:

• Work with domestic and international partners to ensure compliance with conservation laws

• Reduce waste and pollution in the Pacific ocean and coastal lands

• Develop new fishing gear technology to help prevent sea turtle bycatch

• Create legal and best practice policies for protecting sea turtles (such as creating coastal ordinances that reduce boat collisions, light pollution, and nest disturbance)

• Educate the public about sea turtle conservation

Individuals can do the following:

• Reduce waste and trash in the ocean; consider volunteering for beach cleanups

• Keep your distance from sea turtles; don’t approach them, feed them, or disturb their nests

• Report marine life in distress

• Vote for political policies and candidates that support marine conservation efforts

Help Save Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles with Paso Pacífico

An excellent way to help save endangered species like Pacific leatherback sea turtles is to support conservation organizations. Paso Pacífico is accomplishing important steps in protecting these ancient giants. 

At Paso Pacífico, our mission is to create wildlife corridors that safeguard biodiversity while connecting people to their land and ocean. Our goal is to restore and conserve Mesoamerica’s Pacific Slope ecosystems. The threatened mangrove wetlands, dry tropical forests, and eastern Pacific coral reefs are among these ecosystems.

All conservation programs at Paso Pacífico benefit directly from your donations. These include education programs that teach children the principles of biology, ecology, and environmental citizenship.