 Leatherbacks visit UK waters in the summer and feed on jellyfish |
More protection is needed for endangered turtles according to a report by scientists based in Cornwall. They are urging governments of British overseas territories to do more to safeguard endangered species, such as the hawksbill and leatherback turtles.
The scientists at the University of Exeter in Cornwall in Penryn say the numbers of nesting turtles are at critically low levels.
The experts also want the UK to fund marine conservation abroad.
Turtle management
The report is part of a research project and highlights the Caribbean where it says the creatures may have become extinct in areas.
Leatherbacks are the largest marine turtles and get their name from the black leathery skin which covers their shells.
The biggest turtle ever recorded was a male leatherback which weighed 916kg (144st) and was just under 3m (10ft).
Leatherbacks are killed for their meat and their eggs harvested.
 It is illegal to bring 'tortoiseshell' into the UK |
Historically, Hawksbill turtles are hunted for their shells which are known as 'tortoiseshell' and also for their meat and eggs.
Hawksbills are much smaller than leatherbacks and normally weigh about 60kg (9.5st) and grow to 1m (3ft).
Turtles are legally harvested across Caribbean islands for their meat.
The scientists want British overseas territories to introduce turtle management measures.
They are also pressing the government at home for marine conservation funding in the islands.
One-Minute World News 
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