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Sea Turtles Choking on Israel's Plastic Tide
30 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Injured sea turtles increasingly found entangled in fishing gear.
- Turtles ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food.
- Conservation efforts rely on public reporting via SeaWatch app.
Israel's Mediterranean coastline is witnessing a severe increase in plastic pollution, endangering sea turtles. Conservationists observe a disturbing rise in turtles found entangled in discarded fishing nets or suffering internal damage from ingesting plastic debris. This escalating crisis highlights the detrimental impact of human waste on marine wildlife.
Experts note that sea turtles frequently mistake plastic items, like bags, for their natural prey, leading to fatal consequences. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel's SeaWatch app has become instrumental in documenting these strandings, allowing for rapid intervention by rescue teams. The app empowers the public to report injured animals and pollution hotspots.
Beyond individual suffering, this pollution disrupts vital marine ecosystems where sea turtles play a crucial role. Efforts to combat this issue include global plastic reduction initiatives and local cleanup operations. However, conservationists stress that individual actions, such as reducing plastic use and proper waste disposal, are also vital for protecting these marine creatures.
