sea turtles
"For more than 100 million years marine turtles have covered vast distances across the world's oceans, performing a vital and integral role in marine and coastal ecosystems."
Three of the seven existing species of marine turtle
are critically endangered!!
are critically endangered!!
life cycle
Each of us can do our bit to help protect our precious turtles.
Sea Turtles
The seven species of sea turtles are among the most endangered animals on earth.
Their survival is seriously threatened by destructive industrial fishing operations such as longlining and shrimp trawling.
Fishing nets and lines pulled through the oceans accidentally snare and kill countless sea turtles each year.
Nesting habitat is also disappearing at an alarming rate as beach-front development flourishes.
And although many local, national, and international laws protect them from trade, sea turtles continue to be collected for their eggs, meat, and shells.
Sea Turtles
The seven species of sea turtles are among the most endangered animals on earth.
Their survival is seriously threatened by destructive industrial fishing operations such as longlining and shrimp trawling.
Fishing nets and lines pulled through the oceans accidentally snare and kill countless sea turtles each year.
Nesting habitat is also disappearing at an alarming rate as beach-front development flourishes.
And although many local, national, and international laws protect them from trade, sea turtles continue to be collected for their eggs, meat, and shells.
Visit this National Geographic page to find out.
This fact sheet below has been designed to give a broad overview of some of the threats faced by marine turtles, and to give examples of WWF and TRAFFIC's work and solutions on the ground. For more detailed information on species, WWF, TRAFFIC, and the work they do, please visit www.panda.org/species and www.traffic.org
Turtle fact sheet |
Visit green sea turtle facts to find out more.
Discover: WHY IS THIS SPECIES IMPORTANT? and more at World Wildlife Foundation
The leatherback turtle has survived for more than a hundred million years, but is now facing extinction. It is the world's most endangered marine turtle population. |
This story above is about how important it is to keep the beach clean and out of danger to preserve the turtles life.
virtual field tripJourney into the life of sea turtles In this virtual field trip, students will "travel" to Florida Oceanographic Society on Florida's east coast for a 50-minute highly interactive lesson to discuss: Screenshot from Sea Turtle Tracks
This interactive virtual field trip includes extensive opportunities for back-and-fourth communication between students and Florida Oceanographic Society Staff. We are currently offering this program to 5th-12th grade classrooms only. Visit https://education.microsoft.com/Story/VirtualFieldTrip?token=AUpGz to request this virtual field trip. |
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threats
Click on the screenshot (below) to access the video.
The biggest threats include:
Read more about threats at: World Wildlife endangered species Marine Turtles
- Entanglement in fishing gear
- Poaching and illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells
- Coastal development
- Plastic and other marine debris
- Global warming
- Ocean pollution
Read more about threats at: World Wildlife endangered species Marine Turtles
Balloon and string let go......this is the consequence!
The Queensland Youth Environment Council invites you to help support our call for the Queensland Government
to amend current litter and illegal dumping legislation to specifically ban the release of helium balloons
and to investigate options to outlaw the mass-distribution of helium balloons at events.
What do you think?
The Queensland Youth Environment Council invites you to help support our call for the Queensland Government
to amend current litter and illegal dumping legislation to specifically ban the release of helium balloons
and to investigate options to outlaw the mass-distribution of helium balloons at events.
What do you think?
Plastic straw breathed in by turtle-stuck!
It lodged in his airway for years. |
Turtle thought to be 100 years old dies after being struck by boat off Queensland coast
A tour boat came across the turtle, estimated to be about 100 years old, near the Urangan Harbour and recognised it was injured and distressed. After slowing the boat down, operator Peter Lynch said the animal swam towards the vessel "looking for help". Click on the title to read the whole story. |
Longline Fishing Threatens Seabirds and Other Marine Life
Seabirds, sea turtles, and other ocean dwellers are killed by longline fishing
Turtles
Sea turtles are among the endangered victims of the longline.
Attracted to the bait used on longline hooks, turtles die slowly from swallowing them.
They may also be severely injured by a hook in the mouth or by a hook that snags their flippers as they swim near the gear. Turtles can get entangled in the lines.
They can drown if a large fish near them bites a hook and drags the line down so that the turtle cannot surface for air.
The leatherback sea turtle is especially vulnerable to this fishing method, in part because the light sticks used to attract fish look like jellyfish, their favorite food.
A new type of hook called a circle hook has been shown in some studies to be less deadly to sea turtles than the commonly used "J" hooks.
Fishers can also be taught the safest way to remove a hook from a sea turtle and how to resuscitate a comatose sea turtle.
Seabirds, sea turtles, and other ocean dwellers are killed by longline fishing
Turtles
Sea turtles are among the endangered victims of the longline.
Attracted to the bait used on longline hooks, turtles die slowly from swallowing them.
They may also be severely injured by a hook in the mouth or by a hook that snags their flippers as they swim near the gear. Turtles can get entangled in the lines.
They can drown if a large fish near them bites a hook and drags the line down so that the turtle cannot surface for air.
The leatherback sea turtle is especially vulnerable to this fishing method, in part because the light sticks used to attract fish look like jellyfish, their favorite food.
A new type of hook called a circle hook has been shown in some studies to be less deadly to sea turtles than the commonly used "J" hooks.
Fishers can also be taught the safest way to remove a hook from a sea turtle and how to resuscitate a comatose sea turtle.
How do plastic bags affect sea turtles?
Turtles that prey on jellyfish are easily confused by plastic bags in the water
The gases cause the turtle to float, which leads to starvation or makes them an easy target for predators. Species Affected:
All species of sea turtles, adult greenturtles to a lesser degree, are affected by marine debris.
Juvenile green turtles are heavily affected by marine debris.
For more information read: How your plastic trash may be killing sea turtles and other marine life
Turtles that prey on jellyfish are easily confused by plastic bags in the water
The gases cause the turtle to float, which leads to starvation or makes them an easy target for predators. Species Affected:
All species of sea turtles, adult greenturtles to a lesser degree, are affected by marine debris.
Juvenile green turtles are heavily affected by marine debris.
For more information read: How your plastic trash may be killing sea turtles and other marine life
what can I do if I find an injured turtle?
Click on the image to go to the Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organisation website and discover the answer to this question and many others.
In the majority of cases injuries to turtles are not from natural causes- it's things like pollution, rubbish, fishing line and boat strikes.
Humans are causing many of these incidences.
Anyone who comes across an animal in trouble should call the RSPCA hotline on 1300-ANIMAL.
In the majority of cases injuries to turtles are not from natural causes- it's things like pollution, rubbish, fishing line and boat strikes.
Humans are causing many of these incidences.
Anyone who comes across an animal in trouble should call the RSPCA hotline on 1300-ANIMAL.
conservation and rehabilitation
Dolphin Marine Magic currently works the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and animal rescue groups such as WIRES and ORRCA Inc. to assist in all marine animal emergencies including caring for sick or injured marine turtles, rescuing injured sea birds or rehabilitating and releasing stranded cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and pinnipeds (seal).
In the last two years alone Dolphin Marine Magic rescued, rehabilitated or released over 120 marine animals including dolphins, whales, seals and marine turtles and Dolphin Marine Magic now has one of the highest marine turtle and fur seal rehabilitation success rates in Australia.
In the last two years alone Dolphin Marine Magic rescued, rehabilitated or released over 120 marine animals including dolphins, whales, seals and marine turtles and Dolphin Marine Magic now has one of the highest marine turtle and fur seal rehabilitation success rates in Australia.
marine turtles & Australia
Researchers in Australia secured a GoPro to a sea turtle's shell and followed it as it swam through Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The reef is the largest system of coral reefs on the planet and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stunning footage is part of a campaign to raise awareness about the reef's declining health and amp up pressure on Australia to continue efforts to protect it.
The reef is the largest system of coral reefs on the planet and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stunning footage is part of a campaign to raise awareness about the reef's declining health and amp up pressure on Australia to continue efforts to protect it.
Sea Turtle Species in Australia
There are only a few large nesting populations of the green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles left in the world.
Australia has some of the largest marine turtle nesting areas in the Indo-Pacific region and has the only nesting populations of the flatback turtle.
Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, six occur in Australian waters:
There are only a few large nesting populations of the green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles left in the world.
Australia has some of the largest marine turtle nesting areas in the Indo-Pacific region and has the only nesting populations of the flatback turtle.
Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, six occur in Australian waters:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
In Australia, all six species of marine turtles that occur in our waters are protected under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and various State and Northern Territory legislation.
The leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtle are each listed as endangered under the EPBC Act which means that these species may become extinct if the threats to their survival continue.
The green, hawksbill and flatback turtle are each listed as vulnerable which means that they may become endangered if threats continue.
http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/marine-turtles
In Australia, all six species of marine turtles that occur in our waters are protected under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and various State and Northern Territory legislation.
The leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtle are each listed as endangered under the EPBC Act which means that these species may become extinct if the threats to their survival continue.
The green, hawksbill and flatback turtle are each listed as vulnerable which means that they may become endangered if threats continue.
http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/marine-turtles
indigenous culture & marine turtles
Marine turtles have important cultural and social values for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in coastal areas of northern Australia. Hunting these species is important for maintaining family relations (kinship) and social structure, has important ceremonial and community purposes and also provides valuable protein in regions where fresh food is expensive and difficult to obtain.
Indigenous communities are working collaboratively with government agencies and scientists to develop and implement community-based management for sustainable hunting of marine turtles. This work is primary supported through the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country and Working on Country programs.
Under the Native Title Act 1993, Traditional Owners have the right to take marine resources, including hunting of marine turtles for personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs and in exercise and enjoyment of their native title rights and interests. http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/marine-turtles
Indigenous communities are working collaboratively with government agencies and scientists to develop and implement community-based management for sustainable hunting of marine turtles. This work is primary supported through the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country and Working on Country programs.
Under the Native Title Act 1993, Traditional Owners have the right to take marine resources, including hunting of marine turtles for personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs and in exercise and enjoyment of their native title rights and interests. http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/marine-turtles
WaterLife - Sea Turtles and the Quest to Nest Screenshot from Quest to Nest