What laws are in place to protect the turtles?

Various laws protect turtles, including the Endangered Species Act in the United States, which designates certain turtle species as endangered or threatened, thereby restricting their capture, habitat destruction, and trade. The Marine Mammal Protection Act also safeguards sea turtles from harassment and harm in marine environments. Internationally, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the trade of turtle species to prevent exploitation. Additionally, many countries have specific wildlife protection laws that include measures for nesting site protection and habitat conservation.