Loggerheads

All of the world's seven sea turtle species are endangered or threatened. Three, the Kemps ridley, the hawksbill, and the leatherback are considered to be critically endangered. The species that is currently least at risk is the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), which is only considered to be threatened. However, the loggerhead faces a bleak future as well, as anthropogenic influences continue to encroach on its domain.

The Mediterrean Sea has been an area of particular tragedy for loggerheads in recent years. As many as 20,000 are killed annually as bycatch by commerical fishermen. Spanish scientists are looking for ways to reduce that number. Many of the turtles are accidentally taken in the longline fishery for swordfish, and something as simple as changing baits from squid to fish might dramatically reduce the turtle bycatch. Of course, the fishermen are concerned about the potential impact on swordfish catch.