After reaching the water, the hatchlings disappear and are not seen by humans until they appear as juveniles in the near-shore waters of the main Hawaiian Islands. Historically man has been the greatest predator of the sea turtle, killing it for its meat, shell, and eggs while driving it almost to extinction. Beach erosion washes some of the nests into the ocean, and turtles occasionally dig up each others nests while laying their own eggs. Hatchling turtles also have to escape ghost crabs and reef fish as they try to make their way out to sea. As adults the only predators turtles have besides man are sharks.
Sea turtles can become entangled in debris such as discarded netting.
Dead sea turtles that have washed ashore have been found with plastics in their digestive system, possibly leading to their death. Tumors as large as a grapefruit can grow all over the turtle. Problems occur when they cover the eyes of the turtle, making it hard to see, or grow in the mouth or throat, inhibiting feeding. It is illegal to kill, capture, or harass sea turtles. Help clean up our beaches.