In order to preserve bog turtle populations, it is necessary to maintain their wetland habitat quantity and quality in large reserves, and to reduce collecting and predation. In the spring and fall, loggerheads are concentrated south of New Jersey in the continental shelf waters. Loggerheads arrive in the New York Bight as early as May, and juveniles are found in coastal bays and Long Island Sound. In coastal waters spider crabs are their dominant food item, however they will feed on horseshoe, green, blue and lady crabs. In addition, egg collecting, raccoon predation on nests and eggs, and human activities directly threaten the turtles themselves.
Humans threaten loggerheads indirectly by altering and destroying their habitat.
Marine environmental threats seem particularly to affect this species. It is the world's largest living sea turtle. The leatherback is a common species in the waters of the Northeast from May through November. Adult and large juveniles are both found feeding in the near coastal areas, but rarely in the bays or lagoons. They travel to feed on various soft-bodied invertebrates such as Ctenophores and jellyfish.