Sea Turtles: Threats and Conservation Kaylie Hatcher

Abstract Threats by Coastal Development Threats by Ocean Plastic Sea Turtle Impact Sea turtles have been around for nearly 110 million years, Earth’s history abounds with examples of climate Over 100 million marine animals die each year due to Sea turtles contribute to the most important roles in being one of the most ancient creatures on Earth. All over changes, but researchers say today’s transforming marine debris, according to the Sea Turtle ocean ecosystems and without them it will cause other the world seven different species still exist. They play climate, paired with coastal development endangers sea Conservation. The “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” species who depend on healthy seagrass beds and important roles in ocean ecosystems, providing nutrients turtles in alarming ways. For millions of years, sea located in the North Pacific Gyre has debris reaching 20 coral reefs, to suffer. When green sea turtles graze, it to other species, coral reefs, and beaches. Due to turtles have adapted to climate shifts however, the feet down into the ocean. This patch contains 3.5 million increases the nutrient content of seagrass blades and diseases, coastal development, and marine pollution all coastal construction and impacts to nesting habitats are tons of trash estimated to double in size in the next 5 increases productivity. Nesting sea turtle eggshells seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened or threatening their ability to adapt (phys.org). Half of the years (seeturtles.org). Items include plastic bottles and provide important nutrients that also help beaches, endangered. Without strong efforts to help and protect, world’s population lives on or within 100 miles of a bags, cans, balloons, and cigarette butts. Plastic is not nourishing vegetation. If they were to become extinct, it sea turtles will continue to suffer. coastline and the numbers are estimated to increase biodegradable, it may break into tiny pieces but it will would negatively affect many parts of ocean over the years (seeturtles.org). The development on our never disintegrate. This location continues to collect the ecosystems. (seeturtles.org) Species coasts are destroying the homes and lives of sea turtles. debris destroying ecosystems and marine life. Upon sexual maturity, sea turtles return to the same Conservation Efforts Common Name: Sea Turtle beaches where they hatched however, due to the Laws Kingdom: Animalia destruction and over-populated beaches, the National Laws give sea turtles legal protection in the US Phylum: Chordata reproduction can be unsuccessful. Objects left on and the ocean under the Endangered Species Act of Class: Reptilia beaches create obstacles for nesting females as well as 1973. State and local protection such as Florida’s hazards to the hatchlings as they get trapped. Boats Order: Testudines Marine Turtle Protection act protect turtles and their and other watercraft are one of the main responsibilities Suborder: Cryptodira eggs from being taken or sold, destruction, harassment, of sea turtle injuries and deaths. Coastal populations are disturbance, and molestation. All activities regarding sea Family: Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae increasing tremendously with no sign of slowing down. turtles must be authorized. Costa Rica’s “Protection, Conservation and Recovery Law on sea turtle populations” from 2002 prohibits any trafficking and Figures 1. Hawksbill sea turtle. Figures. 2 consumption on sea turtles. Panama’s “Interamerican Recognizable by a Construction Figures 4. A clean up at the “Great Pacific Garage Patch,” Convention for sea turtle protection and conservation” colorful shell and is uncovering which is approximately the size of Texas (seeturtles.org). guarantees protection and conservation protecting their and found in the tropical reproduction and nesting and forbids consumption and waters around the destroying world. sea turtle trafficking. The “Convention on International Trade in (www.seeturtles.org) eggs found in Endangered Species” (CITES) is an international Trinidad. agreement to protect sea turtles from international trade (dailymail.uk.) by all countries that have signed the treaty Seven different species: (conserveturtles.org). These laws help to protect sea Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii): This turtles from disturbances only in certain areas and the species was almost extinct in the 1960s but the Threats by disease: Fibropapillomatosis treaty only applies to the countries that have signed it. protection laws allowed for a comeback. They are the Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that affects sea turtles The next step to protect turtles is in regards to plastic. smallest weighing between 75-100 pounds and are 2 forming large tumors on their eyes, mouths, or internally. There are only few states that have banned plastic and feet long. This disease may cause them to suffer greatly leading https://www.wwf.org.au/news/blogs/what-do-sea-turtles-eat-unfortunately-plastic- in 2014, California was the first state to begin the tax on Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): One of the to severe emaciation and eventually death. Turtles with bags#gs.awsnry plastic bags. Sea turtles mistake plastics as food. They ingest it smaller turtles weighing between 100-200 pounds and Fibropapillomatosis have external tumors that hang and Organizations which causes a blockage within their digestive system, reach 2-3 feet in length. grow so large hindering swimming, feeding, vision, and Over the years as the decline in sea turtles continues, eventually leading to death. Plastics and other debris Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): Weighs potential escape from predators. It is caused by a more and more people are realizing the serious can cause entanglement making it difficult for them to between 75-100 pounds and is 2 1/2 feet in length. They herpesvirus and is mainly associated with heavily problem. There are now dozens of organizations and see, swim, eat, or escape potential predators. Plastic are the most abundant of sea turtle species. polluted coastal areas, areas of high human density, programs giving back and saving lives. However, there creates pockets of air in the gut, affecting their ability to Flatback Sea Turtle (Natator depressus): Named after and/or bio-toxin producing algae. Fibropapillomatosis is is still a lot that needs to be done in making sure this dive. The ingestion of plastic is costing their lives and it their flat shell which is unlike the others. Approximately most frequently observed in juveniles and it is population does not continue to suffer. The most is only getting worse. 3 feet in length and weighs 200 pounds. associated with shallow/inshore waters. important part in saving sea turtles begins with Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta): Ranges from awareness and spreading knowledge. 200-400 pounds and is 4 feet in length. Named for the size of the head and strong jaw that allows them to eat Works Cited Asma.mahdi. “Entangled Green Sea Turtle | OR&R's Marine Debris Program.” Dianna.parker, 10 July 2013, hard-shelled prey. marinedebris.noaa.gov/entangled-green-sea-turtle.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas): The second largest Figures 6. Known Augliere, Bethany. “The Race to Save Sea Turtles from Deadly Herpes Tumors.” Oceana, oceana.org/blog/ weighing 500 pounds and reach 4 feet. Can be found in death causes in race-save-sea-turtles-deadly-herpes-tumors. sea turtles. Plastic the sub-tropics and are named after the color of their fat. “Information About Sea Turtles, Their Habitats and Threats to Their Survival – Sea Turtle Conservancy.” Sea most known cause Turtle Conservancy, conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-their-habitats-and-threats-to-their- Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): The largest of death survival/. (nature.com). of all, ranges from 4-8 feet in length and weighs “Information About Sea Turtles: Threats to Sea Turtles – Sea Turtle Conservancy.” Sea Turtle Conservancy, 500-2,000 pounds. Have been around for more than conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-sea-turtles/. 150 million years, being the oldest of all sea turtle Figures. 3 Juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) “Longevity & Causes of Death.” Animals: Explore. Discover. Connect., seaworld.org/animals/all-about/sea- Fibropapillomatosis lesions on the left eye and left and right front turtles/longevity/. species (seeturtles.org). flippers. (www.sciencedirect.com) “Sea Turtle Threats.” SEE Turtles, SEE Turtles, www.seeturtles.org/sea-turtles-threats.