They are hunted for their eggs, calipee, and their forequarter skin which is made into leather. Leatherbacks are prized for their leather, as well as their eggs. The food the leatherback eats poses another threat. These turtles feed on jellyfishes, which can look a lot like discarded plastic. These sea turtles die when they eat the plastic because it blocks their digestive tract.
Many sea turtles drown when they are caught in fishing nets and shrimp trawls.
The nesting habitat of all species of sea turtles is disturbed or destroyed by humans. The nesting period is a dangerous time for turtles, eggs, and hatchlings. Humans are not the only threat. Loggerheads must contend with raccoons, the severest predators of eggs. Loggerheads nest the furthest north of all the sea turtles, as far as North Carolina.