Page 10 - Ocean Artist Society Winter2015r1

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The Sea Turtle population in Hawaii is one of the few population groups that has been increasing over the last 30 years due to the ac- tions of both the local government and concerned citizens. Major population reductions around the world over the last three genera- tions show a decline in the number of mature females between 48% to 67% — depending on the species — and startling reductions in the overall population sizes in a number of key nesting sites.
Sea Turtles are fighting for survival. They are hunted for their shells, eggs, meat and skin. Their habitats are under stress from human development, they fight accidental capture in fishing gear, and they face new diseases, worsened by changes in the environment. Nesting sites are critically important to the survival of wild Sea Turtles and we must find ways to protect these sites in a responsible fashion or we may soon face a time where the only sea turtles to be found are in an aquarium.
“Where are the ancient mariners from earlier days Who roamed the oceans’ ever changing maze; Where have they gone?” cry voices from the deep And caverns of darkness answer: “They sleep!” What greetings come from the voiceless dead? Did they always live in constant dread?
What salutation, welcome, or reply,
What pleasure from the shells that lifelessly lie? They are no longer here; they all are gone
Into the land of shadows”
- Steven W Smeltzer
“ The sea turtle is like the canary of the ocean. There are 7 species of sea turtles and sadly they all are feeling the pain of endangerment to extinction. These marine animals have a tough natural life for survival where only one in ten thousand baby sea turtles makes it to procreate for their species. It
is the addition of the human species that have brough their declin into the endangered species category with fishing nets, poaching, coastal development, plastic and oil spills. Taking care of the sea turtles is a great way to improve the health of the ocean itself.”
- Bob Timmons