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Oil Spills

Oil spills threaten marine turtles by contaminating nesting beaches, damaging health, and reducing food sources, impacting all life stages.
The Problem

Oil Spills are Deadly to Sea Turtles

Oil spills pose substantial risks to all species of marine turtles and the habitats they rely upon. As highly migratory creatures, they face risks at every life stage—from eggs on nesting beaches to juveniles in the ocean and adults migrating between feeding and nesting grounds. Oil from spills and leaks that sit on the surface can result in sea turtles inhaling oil and its vapors into their lungs, swallowing oil while feeding, and becoming coated in oil, to the point of becoming entirely mired and unable to swim.

Not only do larger spills pose a problem for the turtles, studies have shown that continuous exposure over time will weaken a sea turtle’s overall health, making it more susceptible to other dangers. Even if sea turtles avoid direct contact with oil slicks, eating contaminated food is a direct exposure path. Oil contamination can also impact food availability, as it accumulates in seagrass beds, a vital food source for many turtles.

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Tracking the Numbers

Taking a Closer Look

Areas of oil and gas exploration, transportation, and processing often overlap with important sea turtle habitats, putting sea turtles at high risk.
134m
Gallons of oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
36%
Of marine pollution is from oil that comes through drains and rivers from cities.
20%
Hatchlings studied that had ingested tar off Florida’s mid-Atlantic Coast
The Solution

Decreasing Our Dependence on Oil

Although turtles may be the toughest animal in terms of resisting some of the immediate physical damage from oil spills, they have proved to be more vulnerable to chemical exposure that happens indirectly through the food they eat. The combination of these threats underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect marine turtles from oil spills and their long-lasting effects. Supporting renewable energy initiatives and the creation of jobs in energy conservation and renewables in order to end the world’s dependence on oil is key. Reducing oil consumption by carpooling, using public transportation or driving energy-efficient vehicles is another way the general public can help.

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How You Can Help

Tips & Resources

Speak out against offshore drilling

Research which companies are involved in offshore drilling and consider boycotting their products or services. By reducing your support for businesses that contribute to environmental harm, you can apply economic pressure to encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices. Write letters or emails, attend public meetings or protests, an spread the word on social media.

Elect Officials Who Prioritize the Environment

Vote for political candidates who support strong environmental protections, including the ban on offshore drilling. Support leaders who champion renewable energy, conservation, and climate change action.

Decrease Your Dependence on Oil

Reduce your oil consumption by carpooling, using public transportation, buying an energy-efficient vehicle, walking or biking when possible, using energy-efficient appliances and adopting renewable energy sources like solar panels.

Educate Yourself and Others

Though we tend to be the most familiar with the massive incidents like Deepwater Horizon, did you know that thousands of smaller oil spills occur each year, some spilling less than a barrel of oil? Oil spills, in addition to nonpoint source pollution, threaten our ocean ecosystem. Learning about pollution, as well as our role in our ecosystem, can help protect ocean habitats by improving stewardship behaviors.

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