Determining the exact distribution and numbers of pinnipeds is difficult because the proportion of the population ashore, or on the sea surface, is not often known. Also, they usually occur in remote locations. Over-hunting caused a major drop in seal numbers in the past but the population is now recovering. The major threats to pinnipeds all over the world are fisheries, oil pollution and entanglement in nets and other human-made objects. Disturbances to breeding colonies are also increasing as people become more mobile and interested in wildlife.
Sea turtles are among the largest living reptiles and are exceptionally long-lived.
There are only seven species worldwide and six are found in Australian waters. These include the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and the loggerhead turtle. All are protected except for hunting by Indigenous communities. Sea turtles have long been important to coastal and island people in the tropics as a source of eggs, meat and shells and as clan totems. However, the development of large-scale commercial trade, elsewhere in the world, in tortoise shell, meat, eggs and leather has put severe pressure on stocks all around the world and turtles are now seriously threatened.