Hero of the Sea Turtles: Can You Save Them?

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It would be world that is devoid of richness in history. Sea turtles are ancient creatures that have swam in the world’s oceans since the dinosaur ages and been featured in many a legend and folklore.

It would be a world with seas that are filled with dead corals. Scientists believe that hawksbills may maintain the health of coral reef systems by grazing on sponges, which if left to grow unchecked, outgrow the corals, cover them up and kill the reef and thirdly, it would be a world with no fish. As a major jellyfish predator, the absence of the leatherback turtle will result in the overabundance of jellyfish, which feed on fish larvae. This may reduce the population growth of commercially important fish.

Thankfully, the bleak picture painted above is just a fragment of the imagination. But how long would it take before that world becomes a reality?

Humans pose the biggest threat toward the survival of the turtles. Enterprising individual collect and consume their eggs and use their shell as accessories. Fishermen kill them unintentionally through improper fishing techniques that have caused many sea turtles to get caught in fishing nets and drown. Litterbugs throw plastic bags into the sea which leatherback mistook for jellyfish and die after eating such litter. Developers destroy their habitat from overly rapid coastal development to near their nesting beaches, which negatively nesting and the survival of hatchlings.

Here’s how you can do your bit:

• Do not consume dishes that contain turtle eggs/meat.
• Do not buy products/accessories made from turtle parts.
• Do not litter as turtles can mistake plastic bags for jelly fish and die after consuming them.
• Donate to environmental conservation organizations like WWF.
• Volunteer as WWF. Check out the WWF website as they do need volunteer from time to time.