PUT SEA TURTLE FLYING OVER SANTA ROSA WALL HERE

All sea turtle species (green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerghead, and olive ridley) are officially classified as either “threatened” or “endangered.” They are in trouble for many reasons. One is natural predators: Turtles are menu favorites for tiger sharks, and hatchlings are devoured by sea-birds as they scamper across the beach seeking safety in the waves.

Hawksbill Turtle Flying Over Santa Rosa Wall

But their most significant threat is from earth’s number one apex predator: humans. Coastal development destroys nesting and foraging habitats. Shore lighting confuses turtles’ navigation ability, since they rely on moonlight and starlight. Commercial fishing gear (gillnets, baited long-lines, trawl nets, etc.), kill thousands of turtles every year as wasted “bycatch.” Finally, tens of thousands are taken directly by humans annually for eggs, meat, and decorative jewelry.

For more about threats to sea turtles, visit this link:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/threats.htm

Sea turtles have been called “Ambassadors of the oceans” because these world-wide travelers migrate thousands of miles during their long, estimated 80-year, life spans. Since they cross both coastal and deep sea environments on their journeys, they are an important indicator of the ocean’s health. Females return to the same beach on which they themselves began their perilous life, to lay their eggs. Odds of reaching sexual maturity are against them: only about 1 in 1000 will survive to breed.

One of the many benefits sea turtles provide for other reef residents is food, in a symbiotic relationship. For example, this 30-second YouTube clip I shot in Cozumel shows two buddies, a hawksbill turtle and a French angelfish, enjoying a sponge lunch together. As you watch the turtle chew a chunk of sponge, one of its favorite foods, the angel fish snaps up the floating crumbs.

As divers, we feel privileged to visit these magnificent creatures in their home environment. Check out this short YouTube video and watch a friendly hawksbill spend a few moments with our lucky dive group in Cozumel.

divers swim with a hawksbill

WHAT CAN WE DO?
Do not purchase jewelry made from sea-turtle shell, or eat food products from sea turtles.
Contact U.S. Government officials and urge strong support and enforcement of the ESA (Endangered Species Act).

Visit numerous websites supporting sea turtle conservation efforts (you can find them on Google), and join or donate to their cause.
Two good web sites with great information on how to help:

http://www.cccturtle.org/

http://www.widecast.org/

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