An exact number is not known. Pound net fisheries are primarily a problem in waters off of Virginia, where turtles get tangled in the gear and drown. In North Carolina, live turtles are often released from pound nets. Due to expansion of this type of fishing, it may have a significant impact on sea turtle recovery. The number of deaths is unknown.
Green turtles become entangled in trap lines and drown.
The impact on the population has not been determined. In areas where recreational boating and ship traffic is intense, propeller and collision injuries are not uncommon. Marine turtles are at risk when encountering an oil spill. Respiration, skin, blood chemistry and salt gland functions are affected. Pesticides, heavy metals and PCB's have been detected in turtles and eggs, but their effect is unknown.