Hector Barrios-Garrido ^1,2,3* Lyndsey K. Tanabe ^1,4 Gabriela M Vélez-Rubio ^5,6,7 Matthew Ware ^8,9 Natalie Elizabeth Wildermann ¹

• ¹ King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
• ² Departamento de Biología, Facultad Experimental de Ciencias, Universidad de Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
• ³ Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
• ⁴ Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
• ⁵ Karumbé, Montevideo, Uruguay
• ⁶ Faculty of Sciences, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay
• ⁷ Sección de Oeanografía y Ecología Marina, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
• ⁸ Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
• ⁹ University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Marine turtles face significant mortality from interactions with fisheries (Wallace et al. 2013). The concern of bycatch in gillnets and pelagic longline fisheries, as explored in this issue, remains a critical conservation concern. Understanding the interactions between marine turtles and fisheries is crucial for the development of effective management strategies. A study by El-Khaled et al. (2023) investigates hawksbill turtles' interactions with gillnets in Saudi Arabia, revealing that turtles depredate fish caught in the nets, a behaviour that can cause entanglement and potentially lead to mortality. This study underscores the need for modified fishing practices to reduce bycatch and protect turtle populations. Similarly, Vanucci et al. (2024) assess the mortality of marine turtles associated with long-line fisheries in the Santos Basin, Brazil, revealing that bycatch rates in pelagic longline fisheries are disproportionately affecting juvenile and adult turtles. Their findings advocate for stricter regulations, the adoption of bycatch reduction technologies, and targeted outreach to fishers to ensure compliance. Marine pollution, particularly plastic debris, poses a growing threat to marine turtles (Nelms et al. 2016). Plastics not only degrade marine habitats but also directly impact turtle health through ingestion and entanglement. Munoz-Perez et al. (2024) provide alarming evidence of plastic ingestion in juvenile green turtles in Ecuador's national parks (Galapagos and Machalilla). Their analysis links high levels of plastic ingestion to compromised health metrics, emphasizing the urgent need for regional and global efforts to reduce plastic waste entering marine ecosystems. Given the pervasiveness of plastics in the oceans, future studies should explore the long-term physiological and reproductive impacts of chronic exposure and develop actionable policies to reduce marine litter, particularly in feeding grounds where marine turtles spend most of their life cycle. The role of oceanic currents in dispersal and genetic diversity remains poorly understood, emphasizing the need to study coastal and developmental feeding grounds (Cardona & Hays, 2018). These transboundary habitats are critical for marine turtle survival, highlighting the need to understand population connectivity to inform effective conservation strategies (Stokes et al. 2015). 2024) tracks post-hatchling green turtles in the eastern Caribbean, shedding light on the elusive "lost years" of juvenile turtles. The research highlights the importance of oceanic currents in shaping the dispersal of early life stage turtles and emphasizes the need for protecting these critical habitats across multiple exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Interestingly, this study corroborates that the tracked animals primarily inhabit waters of developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which often lack the resources for long-term conservation programs to protect threatened species. Genetic diversity is key to the survival of threatened populations. Prosdocini et al. ( 2024) examine the genetic composition of green turtles in Uruguayan coastal feeding areas, identifying multiple genetic stocks (nesting origins). This diversity suggests that these feeding grounds are vital for various populations, highlighting the need for targeted cross-boundary conservation measures involving both African and South American countries. Nowadays, understanding and addressing evolving threats, such as diseases, requires interdisciplinary research to inform conservation actions (Destoumieux-Garzon et al. 2018;Mashkour et al. 2020). Simultaneously, protecting marine turtles as umbrella species can support the recovery of broader marine ecosystems, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches that benefit numerous species and interconnected habitats (Dickson et al. 2022).Effective conservation management requires a comprehensive understanding of emerging threats. 2024) explore future research avenues for studying fibropapillomatosis, a disease affecting marine turtles worldwide. The study emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research to understand the disease's etiology and develop effective management strategies. Additionally, Gallegos-Fernandez et al. (2023) emphasize the role of marine turtles in ecosystem recovery, advocating for their protection to safeguard wider marine biodiversity. This work highlights the importance of integrated conservation approaches that will not only protect marine turtles but also benefit the ecosystems and species they support. As iconic species, marine turtles have drawn the attention of scientists and the public for decades (Mazaris et al. 2018). This highlights not only the ecological importance of these species, but also their cultural significance. Hence, addressing threats such as bycatch, habitat degradation, and disease, and by promoting habitat protection and pollution reduction, we can work towards ensuring the survival and recovery of these species. While significant progress has been made, the articles in this Special Issue emphasize the need for advancing and integrating transboundary conservation initiatives. As threats to marine turtles continue to evolve, it is essential that our research and conservation strategies evolve alongside them. This Special Issue encompasses novel contributions on key themes. By bridging knowledge gaps and fostering collaboration across disciplines, we can work towards a future where marine turtles thrive in healthy and balanced ecosystems. This Special Issue represents a step in that direction, and we hope it inspires continued innovation in marine turtle research and conservation, especially among emerging scientists from Global-South countries (Shanker et al. 2023).