Sea Turtles: Their importance to humankind, their slow decline into extinction, and what is being done to prevent it.

By~B. Craven

Sea Turtles:Seven different species

Their impact on humankind

What is causing their extinction?

What is being done to prevent further extinction?...

The Green Sea Turtle

The Green Sea Turtle is one of the largest and most widespread of all marine turtles.

The oval carapace varies from olive to brown, grey and black with bold streaks and blotches, but the common name Green Turtle is derived from the green color of the fat and connective tissues of this species.

Males are generally smaller than females and the green turtle differs in appearance from other marine turtles by the possession of a single pair of scales in front of the eyes and a serrated bottom jaw.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

The critically endangered Hawksbill turtle has been exploited for thousands of years as the sole source of commercial tortoiseshell.

The beautiful carapace is generally streaked and marble with amber, yellow, or brown and often has a strongly serrated edge.

The strongly hooked beak on the narrow head gives rise to the Hawksbill turtle’s common name. Unlike other marine turtles, the scales (scutes) of the Hawksbill turtle’s carapace are imbricate, or overlapping.

Flatback Sea Turtle

The Flatback Sea turtle is distinguished by its restricted distribution and its very flat carapace.

The fleshly carapace, which is composed of thin, bony scales, has an upwards turned rim, particularly toward the rear.

The Flatback Turtle has one of the most restricted ranges of any marine turtle, it is found only in the tropical waters of northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea, and only nests in Australia.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is the most migratory of the marine turtles, with individuals known to cross the Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.

Their name comes from its large head, that contains very powerful jaws.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are the most common sea turtle found in the Mediterranean, and western North Atlantic Ocean.

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

This turtle is the world’s most endangered sea turtle, with a worldwide female nesting population of a roughly estimated 1,000 individuals.

Their slow decline has been caused by the over-harvesting of their eggs over the past century and have not been able to rebound.

They are also one of the smallest sea turtles.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is the smallest of the sea turtles, only 50-75cm.

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle can be distinguished from the closely related Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle by having more than 5 bony plates, or scutes, running the length of the carapace; Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles only have 5.

This type of Sea Turtle is mostly known for its nesting habits. An arribada occurs while nesting, which is the congregating of many thousands of females on the same beach at the same time.

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelyidae Family)

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest of all living turtles, 145 to 160 in length.

The Leatherback Sea Turtle has no visible shell. The shell is present but it consists of bones that are buried into its skin.

The Leatherback Sea Turtle also feed in waters much colder then other marine turtles can handle. They have a network of blood vessels that work as a counter-current heat exchanger; a thick insulating layer of oils and fats in their skin, and are able to maintain body temperatures much higher than their surroundings.

The Basics about Sea Turtles:

Anaerobic system of Respiration.

Most Sea Turtles have a life expectancy of 80 years, but can live much longer.

Sand temperature determines the gender of the baby hatchlings. Lighter sands maintain higher temperatures, which decreases incubation time and results in more female hatchlings.

Just behind each eye is a salt gland. The salt glands help sea turtles to maintain a healthy water balance by shedding large “tears” of excess salt.

The Importance of Sea Turtles to HumankindThe Moche people of

ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea turtles in their art.

Sea Turtles enjoy immunity from the sting of the deadly box jellyfish, and regularly eat them, helping to keep tropical beaches safe for humans.

Sea Turtles, especially Green Sea Turtles, are one of the few animals that eat sea grass.

They help keep dunes and beaches from becoming eroded with the nutrients gained from baby hatchlings.

Continued…

Sea Turtles also serve entertainment purposes such as in the movie Finding Nemo.

In Finding Nemo we are introduced to an 150 year old Eastern Pacific Green Turtle named Crush.

The popularity of this character has resulted in the Disney theme parks to create an exhibit called: Turtle Talk with Crush.

Turtle Talk with Crush

The Slow Extinction of Sea Turtles(Natural Occurrences)- Natural threats are

common in the animal kingdom. Sea Gulls, and crabs are the main surface predators for young hatchlings. Once the hatchlings reach water, Tiger Sharks and other marine life become the predators. Once the hatchlings reach maturity, they are immune to predator attacks, and instead are killed-off by the actions of humans.

Food Source:Although Sea Turtles have spiritual or

mythological importance in many cultures around the world, this has not prevented humans from consuming their eggs or meat.

In many coastal communities, especially in Central America and Asia, sea turtles have provided a source of food. During the nesting season, turtle hunters comb the beaches at night looking for nesting females.

Often, they will wait until the female has deposited her eggs to kill her. Then, they take both the eggs and meat.

Luxury Items:Hawksbill sea turtles, recognized for their beautiful

gold and brown shells, have been hunted for centuries to create jewelry and other luxury items. As a result, these turtles are now listed as critically endangered.

Scientists estimate that Hawksbill populations have declined by 90% during the past 100 years. While illegal trade is the primary cause of this decline, the demand for shells continues today on the black market.

The lack of information about sea turtles leads many tourists to unwittingly support the international trade in these endangered species.

Debris:It is estimated that more than 100 million marine

animals are killed each year due to plastic debris in the ocean. More than 80% of this plastic comes from land.

The plastic washes out from our beaches and streets. It travels through storm drains into streams and rivers. It flies away from landfills into our seas.

As a result, thousands of sea turtles accidentally swallow these plastics, mistaking them for food. Leatherbacks especially, cannot distinguish between floating jellyfish, a main component of their diet, and floating plastic bags.

Continued:Besides the causes mentioned, these too

cause sea turtle extinction: Commercial Fishing, Artificial Lighting, Coastal Armoring, Beach Dredging, Climate change, and marine pollution such as oil spills.

What is being done to prevent further sea turtle extinction?TED’s- Turtle Excluder Devices have reduced sea

turtle bycatch in shrimp nets by 97%. The use of the devices ideally allow all bycatch larger than ten centimeters to escape the nets unharmed.

This selectivity is achieved by metal grids integrated into the trawl net structure. The grids act as a barrier for large creatures such as turtles from passing through the bars into the back of the net.

A small opening in the net is then available either above or below the grid so that creatures that are stopped by the TEDs are allowed to escape the net, relatively unharmed. Targeted species such as shrimp however, are pushed to the back of the net.

Continued…:Besides TEDs simple things such as

recycling, and if you live near coastal lines to turn off outdoor lights from May 1st to October 31st (the mating season)

Along with these simple solutions, sea turtle conservation is another way to help the decline.

Three companies in particular are helping to conserve sea turtles: The WWF, the STC, and Disney.

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)

Conservation Efforts to Protect turtles: Effective conservation requires protection at all stages of the life Cycle. The WWF is working around the world to conserve marine turtles by: Establishing and strengthening protected areas around nesting beaches. Raising awareness and promoting ecotourism at marine turtle sites, so that local communities become involved in and benefit from protecting turtles and their nests.

Promoting regional and international agreements to conserve marine turtles.

Lobbying for turtle-friendly fishing practices, such as the use of TEDs in nets.

Halting the illegal trade of turtle meat and eggs, through TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network created by WWF and IUCN.

The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC)

Through sea turtle research, conservation and advocacy, STC is addressing the threats to sea turtles and the natural habitats upon which they depend.

One can chose to make a small donation of $25 to become a member of STC and will ensure sea turtles are swimming free in oceans for future generations.

With the donated money, STC helps fund many programs…

Habitat Protection: The Sea Turtle Conservancy program work to enact protective laws to establish sanctuaries for sea turtles. Through environmentally-sound tourism, visitors experience nature without harming it, and enhance the economies of local communities.

Advocacy: The STC monitors numerous state, national, and international issues affecting marine turtles. As issues arise that pose a threat to turtles, their experts intervene with appropriate direct action.

Research: Over four decades of scientific study sponsored by the STC has generated essential data about endangered species and their habitats and has advanced the world’s understanding of the ancient and enigmatic sea turtle.

Education: The STC works with members, coastal residents, conservationists, and governments to increase awareness about sea turtles and the threats facing them. Education is the first step toward effective and long lasting protection of endangered species.

DisneyLastly, Disney is helping to conserve sea turtles by making efforts at tracking sea turtles.

The Walt Disney World Animal Programs team has been involved in sea turtle rehabilitation for many years. To date, the Seas team has cared for and released more than 200 turtles. Most of the turtles that find their way to Walt Disney World are animals that have been rescued by various organizations and come to them with medical challenges. A majority of the turtles suffer physiological problems attributed to extended periods of time in cold water. These cold stunned turtles are rescued, rehabilitated at the Seas, and than released under the supervision of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Surprisingly, very little information is known about the movement patterns of juvenile sea turtles. Once hatchlings leave the nesting beach, it is very difficult for scientists to document where these turtles spend their time. However, recent advances in technology have made it possible to learn more about the habitats of juvenile sea turtles. Telonics, Inc., a manufacture of telemetry devices for monitoring wildlife, has produced a satellite transmitter that is now small enough to be carried by juvenile sea turtles. In collaboration with the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research at the University of Florida, the Seas and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we are testing the first satellite transmitters for use on juvenile sea turtles that measure approximately 30-40cm.

Sea Turtle Tracking

Conclusion:If anyone would like further information about

sea turtles, or how to do your part in saving this beautiful and majestic creature visit the following websites…

www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/marineturtles/marineturtles.html

www.conserveturtles.org/stctmp.phpwww.tourdeturtles.org/2011/sponsors.php