My Ocean Treasures

My Ocean Treasures Marine News Fall 2007 - Sea Turtles
By Kathy Mckenzie-runk

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that Loggerhead nest counts are down 27.8% since 1989. Since 1998, the counts are down 45%. There are many threats to their survival. Artificial lighting on nesting beaches causes hatchlings from nests to crawl inland rather than toward the water.

On developed beaches, coastal armoring meant to protect buildings from erosion has resulted in the loss of nesting habitat near natural dunes. Throughout the state's waters, collisions with boats provide the most common identifiable cause of trauma in sea turtles that wash up dead on beaches. There are other dangers to our sea turtles. The turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida treats a variety of turtle ailments, such as flipper amputations caused by fishing line and trap rope entanglements, shell damage caused by boat collisions, and intestinal impactions caused by ingestion of foreign material such as plastic bags, balloons and fishing lines. Turtles love jellyfish and shrimp and ingest filters from cigarettes and plastic in error. Turtles that died from starvation were found with a stomach full of cigarette filters.

Raccoons love turtle eggs and are not fussy about their choice of food and they're clever and persistent at getting to food sources. After being fed, they will come back and bring other raccoons. When wild animals are close to humans, it is easier for them to transmit disease through bites and scratches. They can carry distemper, rabies and parasites, infecting pets and people. It is illegal to feed wild raccoons in Florida and you can be fined and jailed. Keep garbage cans covered and secured and in the garage or bin with a latchable lid. Do not leave pet food outside at night. Remember also, it is against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings or their nests. Do not walk on the beach with a flashlight or shine lights at sea turtles. Do not take pictures at night using a flash. Turn off outside lights and shield indoor lights if living on the beach. The lights cause females to abandon the nesting process and could keep other females from coming ashore. Light also disorients hatchlings. If you see an injured or dead sea turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-FWCC. While visiting Florida between May and July, join a guided turtle walk available in Juno Beach at the Marinelife Center, North Palm Beach at the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Nature Center and in Boca Raton at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Hatchling releases run during August and September. If visiting the keys, stop at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon to investigate their rescue, rehabilitation and release program.

What is happening in other parts of the world?

Green sea turtles are raised in the world's only turtle farm in Grand Cayman. Here the turtles are raised for food. Tourists can adopt a sea turtle for a small amount, guaranteeing that a turtle will be released in their name. School children on the island are each permitted to release a sea turtle in October of each year. The conditions seem inhumane to us, but the turtles are a part of the diet of these people and have been for centuries.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE SEA TURTLES?

1. Never throw litter on the beach or in the water.

2. If pets are allowed on the beach, keep them leashed at all times.

3. Obey all beach rules and stay away from turtle nesting sites.

4. Help spread the word about sea turtles. The more people know, the more they will want to help them.

5. Watch for turtles while boating.

6. During nesting seasons, turn lights facing the beach off or have proper filters.

7. Participate in local beach and reef cleanups.

8. Do not buy sea turtle products-jewelry, oil, leather, meat or eggs.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

Ccaretta Conserving Sea Turtles Through Scientific Communication
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	My Ocean Treasures Marine News Fall 2007 - Sea Turtles By Kathy Mckenzie-runk The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that Loggerhead nest counts are down 27.8% since 1989. Since 1998, the counts are down 45%. There are many threats to their survival. Artificial lighting on nesting beaches causes hatchlings from nests to crawl inland rather than toward the water. On developed beaches, coastal armoring meant to protect buildings from erosion has resulted in the loss of nesting habitat near natural dunes. Throughout the state's waters, collisions with boats provide the most common identifiable cause of trauma in sea turtles that wash up dead on beaches. There are other dangers to our sea turtles. The turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida treats a variety of turtle ailments, such as flipper amputations caused by fishing line and trap rope entanglements, shell damage caused by boat collisions, and intestinal impactions caused by ingestion of foreign material such as plastic bags, balloons and fishing lines. Turtles love jellyfish and shrimp and ingest filters from cigarettes and plastic in error. Turtles that died from starvation were found with a stomach full of cigarette filters. Raccoons love turtle eggs and are not fussy about their choice of food and they're clever and persistent at getting to food sources. After being fed, they will come back and bring other raccoons. When wild animals are close to humans, it is easier for them to transmit disease through bites and scratches. They can carry distemper, rabies and parasites, infecting pets and people. It is illegal to feed wild raccoons in Florida and you can be fined and jailed. Keep garbage cans covered and secured and in the garage or bin with a latchable lid. Do not leave pet food outside at night. Remember also, it is against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings or their nests. Do not walk on the beach with a flashlight or shine lights at sea turtles. Do not take pictures at night using a flash. Turn off outside lights and shield indoor lights if living on the beach. The lights cause females to abandon the nesting process and could keep other females from coming ashore. Light also disorients hatchlings. If you see an injured or dead sea turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-FWCC. While visiting Florida between May and July, join a guided turtle walk available in Juno Beach at the Marinelife Center, North Palm Beach at the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Nature Center and in Boca Raton at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Hatchling releases run during August and September. If visiting the keys, stop at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon to investigate their rescue, rehabilitation and release program. What is happening in other parts of the world? Green sea turtles are raised in the world's only turtle farm in Grand Cayman. Here the turtles are raised for food. Tourists can adopt a sea turtle for a small amount, guaranteeing that a turtle will be released in their name. School children on the island are each permitted to release a sea turtle in October of each year. The conditions seem inhumane to us, but the turtles are a part of the diet of these people and have been for centuries. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE SEA TURTLES? 1. Never throw litter on the beach or in the water. 2. If pets are allowed on the beach, keep them leashed at all times. 3. Obey all beach rules and stay away from turtle nesting sites. 4. Help spread the word about sea turtles. The more people know, the more they will want to help them. 5. Watch for turtles while boating. 6. During nesting seasons, turn lights facing the beach off or have proper filters. 7. Participate in local beach and reef cleanups. 8. Do not buy sea turtle products-jewelry, oil, leather, meat or eggs. Article Source: Ezine Articles Created by Kaseen Cook, September 2007.

Ccaretta Conserving Sea Turtles Through Scientific Communication