Sea Turtles
Michaela Pinaroc, Maddy Morris, Lizet Reyes, Angel Drusina
Threats & Human Impacts to Sea Turtles
There are many things that endanger sea turtles. For example, there are many cultures that hunt sea turtles for meat, eggs, or even their shell. Specifically, people hunt for the Hawksbill Sea Turtle because of its gold and brown shell to make jewelry out of it. Another danger for sea turtles is plastic bags. The majority of all sea turtles eat jellyfish as one main source of food. They often mistake plastic bags floating in the water as a jellyfish. All sea turtles will eventually go back to the same shore, that they were born on, to lay their eggs. Unfortunately due to human industrialization (buildings, resorts, etc.) some sea turtles will not lay their eggs. Another human impact is that when newborn sea turtles hatch, they sometimes mistaken the light from the cities off the shore as the sun/moon and don't make it to the water.
Sources:
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_fishing_around_sea_turtles.html
Benefits of Sea Turtles
There are many different types of sea turtles. All except the Green Sea Turtle eat jellyfish. Being a primary consumer, when Green Sea Turtles graze the increase the productivity and nutrient quality of seagrasses. Maintaining the health of the sea grasses and even coral reefs directly benefit shrimps, lobsters, and thousands of other species. Other sea turtles aid in conserving the dangerous jellyfish population. They also provide food for feeder fish, sharks, and other large sea predators. Many creatures attach themselves to turtles shells and become permanent residents.
Sources:
Sources:
http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Why_Healthy_Oceans_Need_Sea_Turtles.pdf
http://ocean.si.edu/slideshow/meet-seven-sea-turtle-species
http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtleConservation of Sea Turtles
National Laws:
- Sea Turtles are given legal protection in the United States (including its waters) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which lists the hawkbill, leatherback, Kemp's ridley and green turtles as endangered; the loggerhead is also listed as threatened.
(Source: http://www.conserveturtles.org/seaturtleinformation.php?page=conservation)
State & Local Protection:
- In Florida, the "Marine Turtle Protection Act" was passed giving the state agencies the "power to enforce regulations protecting turtles and their habitat."
- A TED, turtle excluding device, is a simple opening in any net used to catch other organisms in the ocean that allows turtles to escape if accidentally caught.
(Source: http://www.conserveturtles.org/seaturtleinformation.php?page=conservation)
SEA TURTLES. Animals for children. Kids videos. Kindergarten | Preschool learning