Marine turtles are long-lived, late-maturing and highly migratory. Only about one in 5,000 hatchlings live to adulthood. Three of four sea turtle species are now listed as endangered. Coastal development and human exploitation contribute to loss of habitat and nesting sites. Illegal international trade seriously threatens wild populations of many marine turtle species, particularly the hawksbill turtle. Floating debris and water pollution also contribute to mortality, as does international commercial fishing and inadvertent capture. Sea turtles face growing pressure from strong demand for its meat and shells. Poaching and egg harvesting are further pushing this slow-growing reptile to extinction. Because marine turtles are flagship species for the ecosystems in which they live, sustaining healthy populations of marine turtles provides benefits to many other species of wildlife, including many that are either threatened or endangered.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of S.4432 - Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2022
Prospective Sponsor: Sen. Edward Markey (MA)

• I oppose reforming current sea turtle policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader John Thune (SD).
• I support establishing the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program to encourage and facilitate coordinated rapid response and rescue for the recovery, short- or long-term care, transportation, and treatment of stranded marine turtles; the release of rescued and recovered marine turtles; and the collection of data and samples from stranded marine turtles for scientific research or assessments regarding marine turtle health, including tagging information.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Edward Markey (MA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.