Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/loggerhead-sea-turtle/
The loggerhead sea turtle has experienced an aggressive decline in the past decade — with an 80% decrease in the North Pacific and a 40% decline in the Northwest Atlantic, their most popular nesting spot, reports NOAA Fisheries.
According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, these turtles face many threats beyond the natural dangers of ocean life. When beaches are disrupted by the removal of vegetation and/or addition of lights, nesting females and their hatchlings struggle to return to the sea.
Once there, illegal fishing practices not only pose the direct threat to sea turtles of being harpooned or caught in nets, they also corrupt sea turtle habitats and nesting areas by polluting them with discarded plastic, nets, ropes and chemicals, Mongabay reports.
The Loggerhead sea turtle has experienced an aggressive decline in the past decade.
Scientific studies show that thousands of sea turtles are injured or killed each year as a result of commercial fishing activity in U.S. and international waters. Many of these injuries and deaths take place while turtles are migrating through fishing areas.
“Loggerhead sea turtles will struggle to survive if we don’t protect the areas where they nest, swim and eat,” said Dave Allison, senior campaign director at Oceana.
Sea turtle populations are dwindling more each day. With these threats in mind, here are ten steps you can take to reduce the human impact on Loggerhead Turtles and protect this species from extinction:
10. Keep balloons tied up
Balloons can deflate and choke sea turtles.
Even from hundreds of miles away, a helium balloon can find its way to the sea. Once deflated, sea turtles often mistake these balloons for jellyfish, eat them and die.
9. Avoid buying seafood or choose responsibly caught seafood
Not all seafood is harvested sustainably.
Commercial fishing methods like trawling, longlines, and drift gillnets lead to many turtles being picked up as bycatch, killed and tossed back overboard.
8. Never abandon fishing gear
Abandoned fishing gear can cause serious problems for marine life.
Hooks, lines, or nets left in the water can entangle and kill sea turtles. Don’t leave these things behind where they can wash into the ocean.
7. Pack it in, pack it out
When beaches are disrupted by the removal of vegetation and/or addition of lights, nesting females and their hatchlings struggle to return to the sea.
When visiting a beach where turtles nest, make sure to clean up any trash left behind, and clear any obstacles that may become hazards for nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
6. Say no to turtle or tortoise shell souvenirs
The tortoise shell trade is a massive threat to sea turtles
The tortoise shell trade is a massive threat to sea turtles, whose shells are used as decorations or turned into products like jewelry and other crafts.
5. Turn off the lights
Loggerhead sea turtles are currently only one of six remaining sea turtle species left in the United States.
Sea turtles prefer to do their nesting in darkness. Intrusive light from new developments not only discourage female turtles from nesting in their traditional spots, but can confuse hatchlings as they attempt to make their way to the ocean.
4. Don’t Pollute
Thousands of sea turtles are injured or killed each year as a result of commercial fishing activity in U.S. and international waters.
More than 100 million marine animals are estimated to die each year as a result of ingesting or getting entangled in plastic. Avoid using disposable plastic bags, bottles, and straws whenever you can.
3. Be ‘Reef Friendly’
Avoid sunscreens with harsh chemicals.
Some chemicals in sunscreen, particularly “oxybenzone,” can damage coral reefs and pollute turtle habitat. Look for brands labeled as “Reef Friendly” and avoid polluting the sand where turtles nest when you apply it at the beach.
2. Support Project Peril
Project Peril is working to support community-based programs that effectively address threats to coastal habitats. These include removing beachfront lighting, physical barriers to nesting beaches, and vehicle traffic that crushes nests and incubating embryos. These programs also work toward reforestation, dune stabilization and beach clean-ups. Another key goal is the reduction of poaching and predation. Together, we can set an example globally.
You can help. Your gift today will save the sea turtle by directly supporting these critical initiatives through Project Peril.
1. Support Federal Action
Help us protect Loggerhead sea turtles from extinction!.
Loggerhead sea turtles are currently only one of six remaining sea turtle species left in the United States, National Geographic reports.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to change the status of the North Pacific and Northwest Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act, Oceana reports.
Listing the loggerhead as endangered will be a major step in guaranteeing further protection and we’re collecting signatures from concerned readers like you who want to save this species from extinction. Your signature and tens of thousands of others will make a big impact when sent to the office of the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in support of the proposed change.
Sign and save the Loggerhead Turtle!
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
