Sea Turtles

Media Contacts

Northeast: Maggie Mooney-Seus

Southeast: Allison Garrett

Southwest: Jim Milbury

Pacific Islands: Wende Goo

NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources is directed by the Endangered Species Act to protect and assist in the recovery of endangered and threatened marine life, including whales, fish, turtles, and corals. There are seven species of marine turtles in tropical and sub-tropical oceans and bays worldwide. Six of those species are in U.S. waters, along the Atlantic Coast, throughout the Gulf of Mexico, along the California coast, and in the waters of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands territories. NOAA Fisheries works to manage, conserve, and rebuild sea turtle populations. Visit the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources - Sea Turtles.

Photo & Video

Photos of the six species found in U.S. waters

Videos: Leatherback turtles in the Pacific

Videos: Crittercam on green turtles in the Gulf of California

Marine turtles of the U.S.

Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas

Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea

Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata

Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta

Kemp’s Ridley Turtle, Lepidochelys kempii

Olive Ridley Turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea

Learn more:

What are the threats to marine turtles?

Sea Turtles of the U.S. Atlantic Coast (printable brochure)

Strategy for Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery