The Green Sea Turtle

By: Janie Crawford

http://www.macroevolution.net/sea-turtle-hatchlings.html

History:

Green sea turtles are named after their green cartilage and fat deposits around their internal organs; however, they are black-brown or greenish yellow in color. Green turtles are highly migratory and are found around the world in warm subtropical and tropical ocean waters. Nesting for green sea turtles occurs in over 80 different countries. Long ago green turtles were viewed as royalty and often chief leaders would decide when and who could hunt the turtles. Unfortunately,  the green turtle's decline combined with alterations to island cultures has reduced the cultural importance of green turtles. The decline in sea turtles is also due to the development of hunting tools and increased efficiency.

Geographic and Population Changes:

When the baby turtles leave the nesting beach they float in the major current system. After a couple years, the turtles go to an area rich in seagrass and marine algae where they grow until they’re mature. Once they reach sexual maturity green turtles move between foraging grounds and nesting areas. Then the male and females traverse oceanic zones to mate. 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/green-sea-turtle/#green-sea-turtle-closeup-underwater.jpg

 Listing:

On 1/12/98 green turtles were listed as endangered in Florida and threatened on other parts of the east coast.

Threats: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibropapillomatosis

Habitat Loss

Coastal development has destroyed beaches green turtles use as nesting sights. Also, feeding habitats for green turtles, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, are being damaged or entirely destroyed as a result of sedimentation, nutrient run-off, tourist development, destructive fishing techniques and climate change.

Disease

In Hawaii almost 70% of stranded green turtles are affected by fibropapillomas, a tumorous disease

Hunting 

About 11,000 green sea turtles are harvested annually  in Nicaragua for consumption, this has drastically impacted the number of green turtles in the world.

https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Green-Sea-Turtle.aspx

Light Pollution

When there are lights on nesting beaches it alters the behavior of the adults and is often fatal to hatchlings, because they are attracted to light sources and are drawn away from the water.

Accidental Capture

Fishermen often accidentally catch green sea turtles and it can either injure or kill the turtle

Wildlife Trade  

30,000 green turtles in Baja California alone are taken per year

Recovery Plan:

1. All US waters have to be identified and source beaches based on geographic               boundaries
2. Each stock must average 5,000 FENA over six years
3. Nesting populations at “source beaches” are stable or increasing after 25 years
4. Existing foraging areas are maintained and healthy
5. Foraging populations increase at key grounds within stock regions
6. A management plan to sustain turtles is in place
7. International agreements to protect shared stocks is in place

How Can You Help?

1. Turn out your lights if you’re near a nesting beach so that you don’t distract the turtles from their journey to the ocean
2. Clean up any trash that you see on the beach
3. Reduce the amount of chemicals you use at home so that it doesn't go to the ocean

Works Cited

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/981201e.pdf

http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/five-things-you-can-do-to-save-sea-turtles.pdf

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4615/0

http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/wildlife_and_habitats/australian_priority_species/marine_turtles/marine_turtles_and_threats_they_face/marine_turtles_habitat_loss_and_degradation/

http://www.livescience.com/338-sea-turtles-hunted-brink-study-finds.html