Protecting Sea Turtles – what you need to know!

Sea Turtles have existed for more than 100 million years. That makes them one of the most ancient creatures on Earth. They even survived the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.^[1] Now they need your help. And, it only takes a little effort on your part, to make a huge impact.

To celebrate Earth Day bring us a bag of trash on the 22nd April 2019, and get 15% OFF on your next Boat Hire at Latchi Watersports and, for any activity at STS Moto Fun in Latchi.

 

Some Facts

• Sea turtles are marine reptiles that need to breathe air to survive. And, they are found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world.
• Turtles do not have teeth. Instead, they have a modified “beak” suited for their diet.^[2]
• There are seven different species of sea turtles that live in our oceans. From the hawksbill turtle, Kemp’s ridley turtle, leatherback turtle, loggerhead turtle, olive ridley turtle, flatback sea turtle, and the green turtle.^[3] In Cyprus, we have Green and Loggerhead Turtles.
• The smallest species is the Kemp’s ridley. They weigh only 45Kg or less. The largest species is the leatherback which weights up to 680Kg.^[4]
• Each species has its own unique diet. The green turtle feeds on seagrasses. Leatherbacks feed on jellyfish and other soft-bodied animals. And, Loggerheads feed on crabs, clams, and other heavy-shelled animals.^[5]
• Females lay their eggs on land in sandy coastal areas. And, most return to nest on the same beach on which they were born. Nesting times typically occur from April through October, with most females nesting at least twice within the mating season.^[6] Except for these nesting activities on land, they spend their entire lives at sea.
• Within the past 100 years, the population of sea turtles has rapidly declined due to demand for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells. Today, Green, Leatherback, and Hawksbill turtles are classified as endangered in the United States. The Loggerhead and Olive Ridley Turtles are classified as threatened.^[7]

Why We Need to Protect Sea Turtles

• Role in the Ecosystem: They are an essential link in the marine ecosystem, helping help to cycle nutrients within the ocean and on beaches when they nest and feed. Grazing on seagrass and foraging within coral reefs helps to increase the productivity and nutrient content of the grass. Sea turtles help to maintain healthy habitats for other vital species like lobster, shrimp, and tuna.^[8] Additionally, sea turtles that feed on jellyfish play a pivotal ecological role by controlling jellyfish populations.^[9]
• Ecosystem Services: Seagrass beds and coral reefs kept healthy by sea turtle activity act as nurseries for a variety of species like fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and other marine life that humans depend on for food.^[10]
• Economic Contributions: Sea Turtles contribute to tourism in many tropical and subtropical areas. In 2009, it was estimated that 175,000 people took part in tours to see them in more than 40 countries. For one national park in Costa Rica, marine turtle tourism has brought in $6.7 million annually.^[11]
• Uniqueness: The journey that females make to return to a beach to nest their eggs has fascinated scientists. In one study, researchers found that Loggerhead turtles would adjust their natal homing — the process of returning to the spot where they were hatched to lay their own eggs — based upon changes in Earth’s geomagnetic field.^[12]

Threats to Sea Turtles

• Bycatch: Every year, thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught in nets and fishing lines, becoming fishing industry bycatch — an unintended catch of a non-target species. When trapped in these lines and nets, turtles are unable to reach the surface to breathe and subsequently drown.^[13]
• Habitat Loss: Ever-expanding coastal development and human traffic on beaches continually disrupt their nesting. Destruction of vital beaches that they use as nesting grounds causes a considerable threat to sea turtle populations.^[14]
• Plastic Pollution: They often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish or other food. Once ingested, the plastic can block their intestines and become life-threatening.^[15] They also become entangled in plastic netting or other marine debris floating in the ocean, which can cause them to drown.
• Global Warming: The gender of sea turtles is determined by how hot or cold the surrounding environment is while they are in their eggs. Warmer temperatures result in more female hatchlings, while colder temperatures will produce more male hatchlings. As ocean temperatures increase and get warmer, there is a concern that reproduction rates will go down with fewer males.^[16]

 

What You Can Do to Help Protect Sea Turtles

• Prevent water pollution: Take action and properly dispose of waste and recyclables. Plastic debris in waters is a big problem for them – ingestion and entanglement are among the problems. Actions such as joining or organizing a beach or river cleanup, switching to reusable plastic bags, and reducing plastic consumption overall can help prevent and reduce the risk to fish and other marine life.
• Check out all of Earth Day Network’s resources to help Protect Our Species.
• Educate yourself on threats to ocean ecosystems with our Oceans Plastic Pollution Quiz.
• Help end plastic pollution by learning about the actions you can take and using our plastic pollution calculator.

Last year we were lucky to help a Turtle we found that was in Distress

 

Please make sure you NEVER drop anything in the sea. No matter how little the impact you may think. Always take your litter home with you. Make sure to recycle everything that you can. We take ocean conservation and the wellbeing of the Cypriot marine life very seriously. We only wish to see turtles living and swimming happily.

 

By liking and sharing this post using the hashtag below you can help to raise awareness.

#keepcyprusclean

 

 

For more information on everything, we offer at Latchi Watersports Centre please, email info@latchiwatersportscentre.com or call +357 26 322 095.

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Sources: 

• ^[1]https://www.seeturtles.org/sea-turtle-facts/
• ^[2]https://conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-an-introduction/
• ^[3]https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/reptiles/meet-seven-sea-turtle-species
• ^[4]https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/leatherback-turtle , https://www.thoughtco.com/types-of-sea-turtles-2292019
• ^[5]https://www.seeturtles.org/sea-turtle-facts/
• ^[6]https://conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-an-introduction/
• ^[7]https://conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-an-introduction/
• ^[8]http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Why_Healthy_Oceans_Need_Sea_Turtles.pdf
• ^[9]http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Why_Healthy_Oceans_Need_Sea_Turtles.pdf
• ^[10]https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.00127/full
• ^[11]http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?153802/wwwpandaorglacmarineturtlespublications
• ^[12]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982214016388
• ^[13]https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle
• ^[14]https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle
• ^[15]https://www.seeturtles.org/ocean-plastic/
• ^[16]https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/how-climate-change-is-turning-green-turtle-populations-female-in-the-northern-great-barrier-reef