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Threats to Endangered Sea Turtles

Anzar Alamid E. Aberin

Mykaela Regine J. Garcia

Grace Gabriella I. Silverman

September 18, 2020

 The ocean is the heart of the planet. Covering 71 percent of the Earth’s

surface, it is one of the greatest gifts the world brings to us humans for its beautiful and

valuable ecosystems teaming with life and providing everything from fresh food to

careers for millions. Because of the ocean’s countless benefits to our planet and all the

creatures that live here, it is essential to be aware and mindful of the fact that over the

course of 40 years, marine life population is declining by 50%. Several species are in

need of our help for almost half the population are critically endangered and soon to

become extinct. Sea turtles, which rank third for the world’s most endangered

marine species, are dying at the rate of 4,600 turtles every year due to

environmental threats. Worldwide, six of the seven sea turtle species are classified

as threatened or endangered due to human actions and lifestyles. With sea turtles

playing an important role in ocean ecosystems, urgent global action is needed to ensure

their future, and the first step in doing so is by acknowledging the factors harming them.

Across the world, sea turtles are ingesting bits of plastic as they

mistaken it for food due to its appearance. Ocean plastic pollution is a problem

growing into a crisis as billions of pounds of plastic end up in the world’s ocean due to

the single-use packaging humans discard. Currently, there is 5.25 trillion macro and

micro pieces of plastic in the ocean, and this has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife.

Research shows that ingesting just over a dozen pieces of plastic can kill turtles. Young

turtles are particularly vulnerable because they tend to swim in currents where loads of

plastic accumulate. Once a turtle swallows plastic they are unable to throw it back up. As

a result, most of the ingested plastic gets stuck in the turtle’s gut and limits its ability to

absorb and digest food causing them to die.

Sea turtles are harvested unsustainably both for human

consumption and illegal trade of their parts. Turtle meat and eggs are a source

of food as turtle eggs are considered to be an aphrodisiac (a food or drug that arouses

sexual instinct) in many places even with no basis in science, and their meat, primarily
green turtles, is still consumed, even though both are illegal in most countries. Some

people also kill turtles for medicine and religious ceremonies. From so, thousands of sea

turtles are lost this way every year, devastating populations of already endangered

greens and hawksbills, yet most people turn a blind eye to it since they capitalize off it

for quick and easy income.

The effects of global warming and climate change are putting

pressure on sea turtles. All stages of a sea turtle's life are affected by environmental

conditions such as temperature. Since the temperature of the beach sand that female sea

turtles nest in influences the gender of their offspring during incubation, our warming

climate may be driving sea turtles into extinction by creating a shortage of males,

according to several studies. Because of climate change, the sea level rises and stronger

storms will erode and destroy their beach habitats. Warming oceans will change ocean

currents, potentially introducing sea turtles to new predators and harming the coral

reefs some of them need to survive.

Although these threats to sea turtles and their habitat seem too

big to overcome, the world should not get too overwhelmed for if we work

hand in hand, things in our control can be changed. Through educating more of

the public and raising awareness of the current situation, the world can make it a

priority to change their certain ways to help take action in saving the sea turtles and

marine life. By learning more about sea turtles and the threats they face, we can all help

by alerting decision-makers when various issues need to be addressed. As one, we can

save the sea turtles!

DOCUMENTATION:

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