Research: Approximately 15% of Xiaoliuqiu Sea Turtles Have Been Injured; Healing Averages 1.5 Years
A collaborative study by the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, and "Sea Turtle Spotting" revealed that about 15% of sea turtles in Xiaoliuqiu have sustained injuries, with an average healing period of 1.5 years. Published in "Endangered Species Research," the study analyzed injury types, causes, severity, and recovery stages. While 80% of injured turtles fully recover, human activities account for three-quarters of injuries, primarily from propeller strikes and fishing line entanglement, which take 1 year and 5 months to 1 year and 6 months to heal. Researchers propose establishing "low-speed navigation zones" in sea turtle hotspots like Xiaoliuqiu, Green Island, and Hengchun, promoting fishing line recycling facilities, and biodegradable fishing lines.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 18:22
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 18:08 (143h 8m after Collected)
This research, a collaboration between the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, and "Sea Turtle Spotting," was published in the international journal "Endangered Species Research." The research team held a press conference today to explain this study, which is the most extensive on wild sea turtle injury recovery globally and Taiwan's first long-term quantitative analysis of wound recovery in wild sea turtles.
The research team, through the "Sea Turtle Spotting" citizen scientist team, collected 7,233 observation images and records of 709 individual sea turtles between 2010 and 2024. Collaborating with Associate Researcher Li Tsung-hsien of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, they analyzed the types, causes, severity, and recovery stages of sea turtle injuries in the images. They found that 105 individuals had been injured, and 80% of these injured sea turtles eventually fully healed, resumed foraging, and survived long-term.
The team also conducted long-term tracking of 13 of these sea turtles. Feng Chia-ling, the first author of the study, co-founder of "Sea Turtle Spotting," and a Ph.D. candidate in the International Biodiversity Program at Academia Sinica, explained that about 10% had been repeatedly injured, with a total of 19 injury records. Propeller strikes accounted for the most with 12 instances, followed by unknown causes with 5 instances, and fishing line entanglement caused 2 instances. Overall, human-induced injury factors accounted for three-quarters of the cases.
The team further analyzed the healing time required for different types of injuries. Propeller strikes (boat strikes) took approximately 527 days (about 1 year and 5 months); fishing line entanglement (from entanglement, necrosis to limb amputation and healing) took about 539 days (about 1 year and 5 months); and injuries from unknown causes took about 560 days (about 1 year and 6 months). If a veterinarian assessed the injury as severe, it took an average of 600 days (about 1 year and 7 months) to fully heal.
Feng Chia-ling cited the green sea turtle "Little Pothole" as an example. It was recorded twice as being severely injured by propeller strikes. The first injury took 695 days to fully heal, but it was struck again by a propeller shortly after and took over 500 days to recover. The green sea turtle "Little Strong" suffered severe swelling and ulceration after its front flipper was entangled in a fishing line, and it was recorded 627 days later that the injured limb had self-amputated.
Feng Chia-ling said that it has been recorded in the wild that the nests dug by female sea turtles with amputated limbs are more prone to collapse when they come ashore to lay eggs, increasing the difficulty of reproduction. The recovery speed of sea turtles in the wild is 2 to 4 times slower compared to marine animals like whale sharks, dolphins, and manta rays. This is presumed to be related to the slower metabolism of reptiles and the longer time required for carapace regeneration, further highlighting the importance of preventing human-induced harm in sea turtle conservation measures.
Li Tsung-hsien pointed out that the study results show a high proportion of Xiaoliuqiu sea turtles are affected by human activities underwater. Therefore, humans should consider "thinking more" about wild animals during outdoor activities to reduce the impact and harm from fishing hooks, fishing lines, boat speeds, and trash.
Chen Kuo-chin, director of the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, stated that the government can use this research as a reference for future conservation policies. It can emulate international practices by establishing "low-speed navigation zones" in sea turtle foraging hotspots such as Xiaoliuqiu, Green Island, and Hengchun, restricting vessels to speeds below 6 knots in nearshore waters to reduce the risk of boat strikes. Alternatively, promoting fishing line recycling facilities and biodegradable fishing lines can reduce entanglement incidents. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150409
The research team, through the "Sea Turtle Spotting" citizen scientist team, collected 7,233 observation images and records of 709 individual sea turtles between 2010 and 2024. Collaborating with Associate Researcher Li Tsung-hsien of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, they analyzed the types, causes, severity, and recovery stages of sea turtle injuries in the images. They found that 105 individuals had been injured, and 80% of these injured sea turtles eventually fully healed, resumed foraging, and survived long-term.
The team also conducted long-term tracking of 13 of these sea turtles. Feng Chia-ling, the first author of the study, co-founder of "Sea Turtle Spotting," and a Ph.D. candidate in the International Biodiversity Program at Academia Sinica, explained that about 10% had been repeatedly injured, with a total of 19 injury records. Propeller strikes accounted for the most with 12 instances, followed by unknown causes with 5 instances, and fishing line entanglement caused 2 instances. Overall, human-induced injury factors accounted for three-quarters of the cases.
The team further analyzed the healing time required for different types of injuries. Propeller strikes (boat strikes) took approximately 527 days (about 1 year and 5 months); fishing line entanglement (from entanglement, necrosis to limb amputation and healing) took about 539 days (about 1 year and 5 months); and injuries from unknown causes took about 560 days (about 1 year and 6 months). If a veterinarian assessed the injury as severe, it took an average of 600 days (about 1 year and 7 months) to fully heal.
Feng Chia-ling cited the green sea turtle "Little Pothole" as an example. It was recorded twice as being severely injured by propeller strikes. The first injury took 695 days to fully heal, but it was struck again by a propeller shortly after and took over 500 days to recover. The green sea turtle "Little Strong" suffered severe swelling and ulceration after its front flipper was entangled in a fishing line, and it was recorded 627 days later that the injured limb had self-amputated.
Feng Chia-ling said that it has been recorded in the wild that the nests dug by female sea turtles with amputated limbs are more prone to collapse when they come ashore to lay eggs, increasing the difficulty of reproduction. The recovery speed of sea turtles in the wild is 2 to 4 times slower compared to marine animals like whale sharks, dolphins, and manta rays. This is presumed to be related to the slower metabolism of reptiles and the longer time required for carapace regeneration, further highlighting the importance of preventing human-induced harm in sea turtle conservation measures.
Li Tsung-hsien pointed out that the study results show a high proportion of Xiaoliuqiu sea turtles are affected by human activities underwater. Therefore, humans should consider "thinking more" about wild animals during outdoor activities to reduce the impact and harm from fishing hooks, fishing lines, boat speeds, and trash.
Chen Kuo-chin, director of the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, stated that the government can use this research as a reference for future conservation policies. It can emulate international practices by establishing "low-speed navigation zones" in sea turtle foraging hotspots such as Xiaoliuqiu, Green Island, and Hengchun, restricting vessels to speeds below 6 knots in nearshore waters to reduce the risk of boat strikes. Alternatively, promoting fishing line recycling facilities and biodegradable fishing lines can reduce entanglement incidents. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150409
FAQ
What percentage of sea turtles in Xiaoliuqiu have been injured?
Approximately 15% of sea turtles in Xiaoliuqiu have experienced injuries.
How long does it take for sea turtle injuries to heal on average?
Sea turtle injuries take an average of 1.5 years to heal. Specifically, propeller strikes and fishing line entanglements take about 1 year and 5 months to 1 year and 6 months.