Page 261 - The Virgin Islands

ne of the most significant threats now coast of Florida, conservationists dig up ea Turtles are magnificent creatures, as
curious about us as we are about them.
O Scomes from by-catch due to impre- sea turtle eggs and relocate them to fenced
cise fishing methods. Long-lining has been nurseries to protect them from beach traf- Maybe they understand that we are also

identified as a major cause of accidental fic. Another major threat to sea turtles is air breathing animals when they see the

sea turtle death. Sea turtles must surface to black-market trade in eggs and meat. This air bubbles ascending to the surface when

breathe. Caught in a fisherman’s net, they is a problem throughout the world, but es- we exhale. They swim through water as a

are unable to surface and thus drown. pecially a concern in China, the Philippines, bird flies through air; using their powerful

S ome relatively inexpensive changes India, Indonesia and the coastal nations of front flippers to propel themselves through
to fishing techniques, such as slightly Latin America. Conservationists in Mexico the oceans waters as a bird uses its wings.
and the United States have launched “Don’t These gentle creatures will remain in close

larger hooks and traps from which sea Eat Sea Turtle” campaigns in order to re- human contact as long as no threatening

turtles can escape, can dramatically cut duce this trade in sea turtle products. affirmative movements are made by the

the mortality rate. Turtle Excluder Devices C limate change may also cause a threat scuba diver. We have witnessed sea tur-
(TEDs) have reduced sea turtle bycatch in to sea turtles. Since sand temperature tles many times swimming gently and ef-
shrimp nets by 97 percent. Another danger fortlessly with us; acting as tour guide and

comes from marine debris, especially from at nesting beaches defines the sex of a sea ambassador of the coral reefs they inhabit.

abandoned fishing nets in which they can turtle while developing in the egg, there When in close contact with these explor-

become entangled. is concern that rising temperatures may ers of the sea, it makes every scuba diver

B each development is another area produce too many females. However, more feel as a child again; bringing excitement
which threatens sea turtles. Since many research is needed to understand how cli- and providing a lifetime of memories. Their
mate change might affect sea turtle gen- long lifespan, offset by the low ratio of one

sea turtles return to the same beach each der distribution and what other possible turtle surviving to adulthood for every 100

time to nest, development can disrupt threats it may pose. turtle eggs laid; makes it critical we all take

the cycle. There has been a movement to action to protect these magnificent crea-

protect these areas, in some cases by spe- tures.

cial police. In some areas, such as the east