Many human activities endanger the survival of this threatened species.  To a turtle, carelessly discarded plastics look like one of their favorite foods-jellyfish.  An attempt to eat the plastic causes death by blocking the throat or other parts of the digestive tract.

The development of beachfront property is another threat to sea turtles because structures like sea walls and hotels destroy nestable beach.  Lights from hotels and other buildings also are a problem.  These lights can discourage females from nesting and confuse the hatchlings.  Inland lights can attract the hatchlings away from the ocean.  If they don't reach the water by sunrise, turtles will die from the heat of the sun.

Many turtles drown in fishing nets each year.  Illegal poaching of sea turtle eggs is a continuing threat on Jekyll Island. The eggs are taken from the nest and sold on the black market for human consumption. At sea, when turtles encounter pleasure and fishing boats, many are struck, crushed, and killed.