Disease is a silent threat to marine turtles, but postmortem diagnostics are shedding light on this hidden crisis. Flint et al.’s 2009 review reveals how necropsies are uncovering the causes of disease in free-ranging turtles, from fibropapillomatosis to parasitic infections. By understanding these threats, we can better protect these ancient mariners—and the oceans they call home.
Marine turtles are facing a silent epidemic: disease. From fibropapillomatosis to parasitic infections, illnesses are threatening these ancient mariners. In their 2009 review, Flint et al. highlight the critical role of postmortem investigations in uncovering the hidden health crises affecting free-ranging turtle populations. By analyzing deceased turtles, scientists are not only diagnosing diseases but also informing conservation strategies to protect these iconic creatures—and the oceans they call home.
Loggerhead sea turtles, iconic yet endangered mariners of our oceans, face a grim reality: tens of thousands drown annually in shrimp trawls. Enter Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)—ingenious escape hatches designed to free trapped turtles while keeping shrimp in the net. But do they actually work? Researchers Larry Crowder and his team developed a stage-based population model to find out. Their simulations revealed that TEDs could reverse the population decline, but recovery would be slow—taking over 70 years under current regulations. However, expanding TED use to year-round, all-waters implementation could double the recovery rate, offering hope for these ancient mariners. The key to success? Protecting large juvenile turtles, the most vulnerable yet most critical stage for population growth. While challenges like compliance and emerging threats remain, this research underscores the power of science and policy in shaping a future where loggerheads thrive once more.
