This study analysed sea turtle strandings on the coast of Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil, from August 2009 to July 2010. A total of 124 strandings were recorded in this period: green turtle Chelonia mydas (n = 106), hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata (n = 15), olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 2) and loggerhead Caretta caretta (n = 1). Of all turtles for which the Curved Carapace Length (CCL) was measured (n = 122), only 12 individuals (9.7%) were adults. Twenty individuals had synthetic anthropogenic debris in the gastrointestinal tract. Other traces of human interactions were observed in 43 individuals, such as injuries caused by entanglement in fishing lines or nets, collisions with vessels, direct contact with oil spills and lesions caused by sharp or spiked objects. Moreover, in 28.5% of the stranded turtles, the presence of external tumors was noticed, suggestive of fibropapillomatosis and in 9.7%, shark bite marks were observed. Of the 107 individuals that were sexed, 76 were females and 31 were males. Most turtles (72.6%) became stranded during the spring/summer (between October and March). We found evidence of human interactions (injuries) in half of the strandings, but in most cases it was not possible to determine if such interactions were the cause of death. A logistic regression found a significant relationship between CCL, ingestion of debris and lesions caused by sharks or spiked objects. Systematic data collection from stranded sea turtles can provide useful biological information, such as seasonal and spatial patterns in their occurrence and mortality, age structure, sex ratio and diet, as well as possible mortality causes.Keywords: threatened species, human impact, beach strandings, green sea turtle. Padrões e inferências associadas com encalhes de tartarugas marinhas no Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil ResumoEste estudo analisou encalhes de tartarugas marinhas na costa do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, de agosto de 2009 a julho de 2010. Neste período, 124 encalhes foram registrados: tartaruga-verde Chelonia mydas (n = 106), tartaruga-de-pente Eretmochelys imbricata (n = 15), tartaruga-oliva Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 2) e cabeçuda Caretta caretta (n = 1). Dentre todas as tartarugas que tiveram o Comprimento Curvilíneo da Carapaça (CCC) medido (n = 122), apenas 12 indivíduos (9,7%) foram considerados adultos. Vinte indivíduos tinham detritos antropogênicos sintéticos no trato gastrointestinal. Em 43 indivíduos, outros vestígios de interações humanas foram observados, tais como lesões causadas por emaranhamento em linhas ou redes de pesca, colisões com embarcações, contato direto com derramamentos de óleo e lesões causadas por objetos perfurocortantes. Além disso, em 28,5% das tartarugas encalhadas, foi observada a presença de tumores externos sugestivos de fibropapilomatose e em 9,7%, foram observadas marcas de mordidas de tubarão. Dos 107 indivíduos sexados, 76 eram fêmeas e 31 eram machos. A maioria das tartarugas (72,6%) encalhou durante a primavera/verão (entre ...