NOAA Fisheries leads U.S. sea turtle recovery and conservation efforts in ocean waters, sharing jurisdiction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (which focuses on nesting beaches).
Key activities
- Bycatch reduction — including Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and fishery regulations
- Population research, satellite tracking, and genetic studies
- Critical habitat designation
- International cooperation through treaties like CITES and the Inter-American Convention
- Stranding response and rehabilitation coordination
NOAA’s public data and species profiles are a reliable, authoritative starting point for anyone researching U.S. sea turtle policy or population science.