A best practice framework for assessing plastic ingestion in marine turtles

The ingestion of plastic debris has been reported in all seven marine turtle species, affecting vital processes throughout their entire life cycle and key habitats. Consequently, this emerging threat has been recognized as a priority conservation concern. The potential health impacts range from cryptic sublethal effects to severe injury and death. A comprehensive understanding of these impacts and the processes involved, at both the individual and population levels, is crucial for evaluating the vulnerability of marine turtles to plastic pollution. Aiming to guide researchers and stakeholders from the initial stages of project development, this study discusses essential components for establishing and achieving research on plastic ingestion in marine turtles. Drawing on diverse efforts globally, this manuscript compiles the most common approaches and established methodologies, while evaluating resource availability and capabilities, to outline a globally applicable best practice framework for designing and implementing research and monitoring initiatives on plastic ingestion impacts to marine turtles.