Modeling loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) interactions with US Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl gear for fish and scallops, 2005-2008

► Sea turtle interactions with US Atlantic trawl fisheries are of global concern. ► Interaction rates are modeled using fisheries observer data from 1994-2008. ► Latitude, depth, and sea surface temperature (SST) are associated with the rates. ► The interaction rate was highest ⩽37°N, depth <50 m, and SST >15 °C. ► Rates applied to commercial data from 2005-2008 yield 292 average annual interactions.