Guidance

Marine turtles

Updated 13 June 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-marine-species/marine-turtles

1. Species

The offences and protections listed are for:

  • loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
  • leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)
  • green sea (Chelonia mydas)
  • hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)
  • Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
  • flatback (Natator depressus) – only protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(**)
  • olive ridley (Lepiodchelys olivacea) – only protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(**)

Marine turtles are also protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

2. Offences

Offences under regulations 45 and 47 of the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (COHSR) are from 12 to 200 nautical miles.

Offences under regulations 43 and 45 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (CHSR) and sections 9(4)(b), (c), 9(5) and section 9 for Flatback and Olive Ridley of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA) are from 0 to 12 nautical miles.

Offences COHSR CHSR WCA
Kill or injure X X X**
Take     X**
Capture X X  
Possess or keep X X X**
Damage or destroy place of breeding or resting (COHSR/CHSR) /shelter or protection (WCA) X X X (obstructing access only), X**
Take or destroy eggs or nest while in use X    
Disturb X X X (while in place of protection or shelter only), X**
Transport, expose, sell, exchange, advertise for sale X X X, X**
Use prohibited or unauthorised method to capture or kill X X X, X**

3. Further information

Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

4. Contact information

4.1 Marine Conservation Team

0300 123 1032

[email protected]

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