Photo by: Thushan Kapurusinghe http://www.tcpsrilanka.org/turtles/threats_sl.htm 
Marine turtles are killed for their meat in many countries. In Sri Lanka, slaughter of marine turtles for meat is a traditional practice in many coastal areas. Slaughter of nesting adult females directly effects the reduction of the turtle population. Live turtles entangled in fishing gears are also slaughtered by for flesh by the fishermen. The highly endangered Hawksbill turtles have been killed in many parts of the world for its beautiful shell or carapace to provide raw material for the "torto
ise shell" trade. When scutes are removed from the shell, the turtle eventually dies. Synthetic fibers with similar color patterns are now available to replace the tortoiseshell raw materials for the good sake of hawksbill turtles. One of the most widespread forms of marine turtle exploitation is the illegal poaching of turtle eggs. As female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs this makes a easy prey for egg collectors who take the eggs and sell them. All marine turtle nests on Sri Lankan beaches are robbed of their eggs except in places where conservation programmes are implemented. The eggs are either sold at markets for consumption or to
turtle hatcheries.
Marine turtles are killed for their meat in many countries. In Sri Lanka, slaughter of marine turtles for meat is a traditional practice in many coastal areas. Slaughter of nesting adult females directly effects the reduction of the turtle population. Live turtles entangled in fishing gears are also slaughtered by for flesh by the fishermen. The highly endangered Hawksbill turtles have been killed in many parts of the world for its beautiful shell or carapace to provide raw material for the "torto
ise shell" trade. When scutes are removed from the shell, the turtle eventually dies. Synthetic fibers with similar color patterns are now available to replace the tortoiseshell raw materials for the good sake of hawksbill turtles. One of the most widespread forms of marine turtle exploitation is the illegal poaching of turtle eggs. As female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs this makes a easy prey for egg collectors who take the eggs and sell them. All marine turtle nests on Sri Lankan beaches are robbed of their eggs except in places where conservation programmes are implemented. The eggs are either sold at markets for consumption or to 
turtle hatcheries. 
