Hey guys! I hope all is well. Before we get to my main post for the week I wanted to mention that comments either positive or negative in any of my weekly posts are accepted! Feedback is appreciated, thanks!
To continue to enhance our toolbox of water-related issues today we'll be exploring an endangered animal who calls its home in the ocean. That animal is a sea turtle. We will explore why sea turtles are endangered, and what can be done to help them. First off there are seven different species of sea turtles that roam the ocean of those most can reach lengths from 2-6 feet. Sea turtles main habitat is the open ocean, and coral reef areas which covers practical the entire ocean. Worldwildlife.org (WWF) has explained human causes have tipped the scale and unbalanced sea turtle populations. They explain sea turtles are harmed by poachers for their meat, eggs, skin, and shells. Also, sea turtles are facing habitat loss, and another cause of death can be from accidental fishing capture (bycatch). Other large impacts involve climate change which impacts nesting areas. Climate change has resulted in warmer sand in some regions of the world which in turn can affect the sex of hatchlings (less males), warmer sea surface temps, garbage (plastic nets, etc). So, climate change that humans are influencing has contributed a majority to the sharp decline of a species that has lived on the Earth for almost 100 million years. Sea turtles do contribute positive influences on the oceanic ecosystem. According to (WWF), they maintain health of sea beds, and can positively influence many coral reef species such as shrimp, lobster, and tuna.
Overall, these creatures have lived on the Earth a long time, and deserve to be preserved in their natural state free from poachers and bycatch. Currently to help sea turtles getting out advice to people about how they're endangered can help. Teaching/education does help. Also, the WWF is working with fisheries to increase friendly hooks which will reduce bycatch. These hooks are rounded more then normal hooks.
Have a good week guys! enjoy the pictures below. Hope this post expanded your knowledge on sea turtles, and why they're important to our world! As always if you guys have any questions, comments, or concerns let me know below!
Info & all pictures: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle
To continue to enhance our toolbox of water-related issues today we'll be exploring an endangered animal who calls its home in the ocean. That animal is a sea turtle. We will explore why sea turtles are endangered, and what can be done to help them. First off there are seven different species of sea turtles that roam the ocean of those most can reach lengths from 2-6 feet. Sea turtles main habitat is the open ocean, and coral reef areas which covers practical the entire ocean. Worldwildlife.org (WWF) has explained human causes have tipped the scale and unbalanced sea turtle populations. They explain sea turtles are harmed by poachers for their meat, eggs, skin, and shells. Also, sea turtles are facing habitat loss, and another cause of death can be from accidental fishing capture (bycatch). Other large impacts involve climate change which impacts nesting areas. Climate change has resulted in warmer sand in some regions of the world which in turn can affect the sex of hatchlings (less males), warmer sea surface temps, garbage (plastic nets, etc). So, climate change that humans are influencing has contributed a majority to the sharp decline of a species that has lived on the Earth for almost 100 million years. Sea turtles do contribute positive influences on the oceanic ecosystem. According to (WWF), they maintain health of sea beds, and can positively influence many coral reef species such as shrimp, lobster, and tuna.
Overall, these creatures have lived on the Earth a long time, and deserve to be preserved in their natural state free from poachers and bycatch. Currently to help sea turtles getting out advice to people about how they're endangered can help. Teaching/education does help. Also, the WWF is working with fisheries to increase friendly hooks which will reduce bycatch. These hooks are rounded more then normal hooks.
Have a good week guys! enjoy the pictures below. Hope this post expanded your knowledge on sea turtles, and why they're important to our world! As always if you guys have any questions, comments, or concerns let me know below!
Info & all pictures: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle
Pictures above is a beautiful sea turtle in its natural habitat. It's a shame that these creatures are endangered.
This is an example of "by catch" in nets.
This is an example of a "friendly hook" to sea turtles