World on the Turtle's Back





From the flat seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean to the colorful coral reefs of the Coral Triangle to the sandy beaches of the East Pacific, seven species of sea turtles gracefully decorate our oceans. These highly mobile species land regularly to sunbathe and nest, but sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean. Research on WWF sea turtles focuses on these five species. Hawksville Sea Turtles, Hawksville Sea Turtles, Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Leatherback Sea Turtles, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. “Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation.” (WWF, 2022) WWF is working to stop the decline of sea turtles and restore species.

Sea turtles are endangered due to human irresponsibility and the fact that they are too good to use biodegradable and paper products. Plastic is harmful not only to the environment but also to the lives in it. For example, a floating plastic bag may resemble a jellyfish, algae, or other species that make up most of the turtle food. Consuming different types of plastic also causes problems. Sharp plastics can rupture internal organs, and pouches can cause intestinal obstruction that prevents turtles from eating, leading to starvation.

Sea turtle populations will gradually decline unless action is taken to end the plastic pollution that plagues our oceans. Some scientists believe that sea turtles are essential for the health of marine ecosystems. Hawksville turtles protect coral reefs and protect them from grazing sponges that would otherwise destroy corals. Green turtles graze seagrass beds that promote healthier and faster seafloor growth. The main food source is jellyfish. If the jellyfish population is not controlled, the sea fish population will begin to decline.

CALL TO ACTION: Sea turtle populations need your help! Donate today to  WWF organizations that are trying to provide these turtles with safe living conditions  and prevent them from becoming extinct or  endangered. Click on the photo belong to get to WWF webpage and collect more information, even adopt a sea turtle! Click here for an informational video about sea turtles and how pollution is affecting them. 


References

Lipponen, M. (2020, June 23). How can we help save sea turtles from plastic pollution?. In ProjectsAbroad. Retrieved from https://www.projects-abroad.org/blog/how-we-can-help-save-sea-turtles/
Sea Turtles. (2022). In World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle
What do sea turtles eat? Unfortunately, plastic bags. (2022). In World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-do-sea-turtles-eat-unfortunately-plastic-bags#:~:text=Sharp%20plastics%20can%20rupture%20internal,lead%20to%20slow%20reproduction%20rates.

Image References
 (2018). Turtles and plastic pollution [Online video]. Australia: Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIklRSR0ov4

Carey, R. (Photographer). (2020). [Image of photograph]. Stock Photos. Retrieved from https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/plastic-pollution-and-sea-turtle-underwater-gm1255120096-367085387

Oliveria, P. (Photographer). Alamy Stock Photo. [Photograph]. 

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