One Wednesday
April 21, 2017 in Vero Beach, FL locals gathered at the beach to watch the
largest loggerhead sea turtle to ever be rehabilitated by Sea World, released
back into the ocean. Nine months prior to Bertha’s release, this 350 pound
turtle was found lethargic and covered in algae at the Tracking Station Park in
Vero Beach last August. When she arrived
at Sea World’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Program the rescue team found a
significant parasite problem in her blood work and many injuries to her front
flippers. Bertha was treated with anti-biotics and anti-parasite medication to
clear her system. Bertha spent 8 months being nursed back to health at the
rehabilitation center and at a young 20 years of age, she will thankfully be
able to live the rest of her long life in the ocean where she belongs! This
incredible success story has filled our hearts with joy but has opened our eyes
to the dangers our precious sea turtles face every day of their lives.
Worldwide, 6
of 7 sea turtle species are classified as endangered due to human actions and
lifestyles according to a non-profit organization SEE Turtles. Some of the
largest threats these turtles face are oil spills, habitat loss due to human developments,
entanglement in marine debris, and trash pollution floating around the ocean.
Poor fishing practices are also a huge threat to sea turtles and one of these
includes a daunting term called bycatch; when fishing gear captures sea turtles
by accident. In 2010, a study by Duke University reported data on marine turtle
bycatch for the past 18 years. The university found that approximately 85,000
sea turtles were reported as captured. This study however only took data from a
mere 1% of the total fishing fleets around the world. Most likely, the numbers of
sea turtles captured from over the 18 years are in the MILLIONS. This heart wrenching
study only covers a small percentage of what these poor creatures face daily.
Turtles also tend to mistake plastic trash for the food they eat. When ingested,
the plastic can block the pathway to their stomachs and starve them, release
poisonous toxins, and it can also puncture their intestinal systems all
resulting in death. We could go on for days telling you everything these
turtles endure but instead, it’s time to learn how we can help save these
gentle animals.
Sea turtles
are important to the oceans ecosystem. They maintain marine habitats, help
cycle nutrients and are part of a well- balanced food web and we as human
beings, have the ability to change and improve their lives. Here is how YOU can
HELP!
1. Contribute to conservation
organizations and rehabilitation centers.
a. These programs need your financial
support and depend on donors to fund their incredible cause.
2. Make responsible consumer decisions.
a. Know where your seafood was obtained
and how it was caught.
b. For more information check out http://www.seafoodwatch.org/
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
a. Reduce your consumption (purchase
products with less packaging).
b. Reuse what you can and recycle what
you can.
c. A plastic water bottle is used for 5
minutes and stays on this Earth for another 500 years! One average, our oceans
are littered with 47,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. Please people drink
from canteens and not plastic bottles!
4. Be a responsible boater
a. Avoid seagrass beds and be aware of
your speed.
b. Always looks for floating sea turtles
(they cannot dive down to escape an oncoming boat).
c. “Slow and steady wins the race!”
5. Dispose of fishing line properly
a. Pick up fishing line if you see it.
b. Do NOT throw away fishing line in the
garbage, place it in the recycling bin instead.
6. Help stop unregulated coastal
development and non-sustainable agricultural practices.
a. Sign petitions and encourage
legislators to pass and enforce appropriate laws and regulations.
Take action to help save the sea
turtles! We have only one ocean and one planet…it’s about time to start taking
care of it!
For more information check out these
sites below.
