‘There’s no way to completely eliminate’

Plastic pollution and an alarming increase in marine litter pose a growing threat to sea turtles on Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Conservationists say more turtles are being found entangled in fishing gear or suffering internal injuries after swallowing plastic; researchers warn that this trend could have devastating, long-term effects.

What’s going on?

Accordingly Ynet NewsRescuers at the Israel Society for Nature Conservation have noticed a disturbing increase in reports of injured sea turtles sent through the organization’s SeaWatch app. The app allows the public to quickly report turtle sightings and dangers on Israeli beaches, allowing conservation teams to respond effectively.

In one recent case, near Ashdod, a young green sea turtle, later named Oriyan, was discovered hanging from its mouth with plastic string from a bag wrapped around its fins. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s National Sea Turtle Rescue Center responded immediately and bystanders stayed with the animal until help arrived.

When rescuers examined Oriyan, they found that the turtle was weak and emaciated, and its limbs were severely injured due to entanglement. The rescue center said this was just one example of the growing problem posed by discarded fishing equipment.

“There is no way to completely eliminate the impact of fishing on nature,” SPNI SeaWatch Coordinator Bar Sternbach told Ynet.

Why is this important?

Plastic pollution is one of the leading threats to marine ecosystems worldwide. Sea turtles often mistake floating plastic bags and debris for jellyfish or other prey, leading to fatal ingestion or internal obstruction. Others become trapped in thrown nets or ropes, causing drowning or loss of limb.

Beyond the suffering of individual animals, this pollution disrupts entire ecosystems. Sea turtles play a vital role in protecting seagrass beds and coral reefs; both are critical to supporting fish populations and the resilience of coasts. These declines have ripple effects on ocean health, biodiversity, and even tourism-based coastal economies.

What is being done about this?

The SeaWatch app has become a vital tool for detecting and responding to turtle strandings, enabling the public to play an active role in marine conservation. Each report helps experts find injured animals and pinpoint pollution spots that need to be cleaned or monitored.

Globally, similar efforts are gaining momentum, from banning single-use plastics to expanding clean-up operations. But researchers say personal preferences also matter. small steps like reduce plastic useProper disposal of fishing gear and participating in local beach cleanups can make a measurable difference.

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