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LOCAL Friday 16 June 2023

World Sea Turtle Day

ORANJESTAD - On June tles are:
16, the United Nations cel- Help and support organiza-
ebrates World Sea Turtle tions that protect sea tur-
Day to draw attention to tles, such as Turtuga Aruba.
the plight of sea turtles and Donate to Turtuga Aruba or
promote conservation ef- become a volunteer mem-
forts. ber;
reduce the use of plastic
Seven species of sea turtles and lower its impact: use
are listed as vulnerable or reusable products when
endangered on the world you go to the beach and
conservation list due to hu- avoid single-use plastic.
man activity or artificially Oxybenzone-containing
created environmental products are prohibited
conditions. , Four of the sev- because they affect coral
en sea turtle species regu- reefs, the food source for
larly stop by Aruba to rest or sea turtles;
lay eggs on the sand. Sea when boating, act respon- (DNM); ing nets or fish traps set to sea turtles;
turtles prefer the ideal con- sibly - Watch out for sea
ditions of Aruba. The hawks- turtles; if you snorkel or dive and catch fish. when boating, act respon-
want to photograph sea Plastic pollution: Sea turtles sibly - Watch out for sea
bill turtle (Eretmochelys im- report the presence of sea
bricata), the loggerhead turtles on the shores to Tur- turtles, do so from a safe often mistake plastic bags turtles;
distance and do not ap-
for jellyfish, their primary report the presence of sea
turtle (Caretta caretta), the tuga Aruba; If you see a sea
green sea turtle (Chelonian turtle on the beach or no- proach the sea turtles, this food source. It can be fatal turtles on the shores to Tur-
since it obstructs the diges-
is against the law;
tuga Aruba; If you see a sea
mydas), and the leather- tice sea turtle tracks on the
back turtle (Dermochelys beach, contact Turtuga choose sustainable sea- tive tract. turtle on the beach or no-
tice sea turtle tracks on the
food farmed sustainably Climate change: Sea lev-
coriacea) are the four sea Aruba at 592-9393. Do not
turtles that go to Aruba. disturb or touch sea turtles, and in compliance with the els are rising due to climate beach, contact Turtuga
law;
change, flooding beach-
Aruba at 592-9393. Do not
and do not photograph
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle with a flash as this disori- protect sea turtles and their side nests. Sea surface disturb or touch sea turtles,
habitat and teach others temperatures also alter by and do not photograph
(Lepidochelys kempii) is ents them. Turtuga Aruba
the sea turtle that is most in monitors sea turtle activity about sea turtles and their climate change, which with a flash as this disori-
value.Poaching: Illegal kill-
changes the sex of young ents them. Turtuga Aruba
danger. near Aruba and shares this
data with the Department ing of sea turtles for their sea turtles and causes an monitors sea turtle activity
The main threats to sea tur- of nature and Environment meat, eggs, or shells for imbalance. near Aruba and shares this
consumption or illicit sale; data with the Department
Loss of Habitat: Sand What can we do to help of nature and Environment
beaches are necessary for protect sea turtles? (DNM);
sea turtles to lay their eggs Help and support organiza- if you snorkel or dive and
because they make it sim- tions that protect sea tur- want to photograph sea
pler for the hatchlings to tles, such as Turtuga Aruba. turtles, do so from a safe
emerge and move around. Donate to Turtuga Aruba or distance and do not ap-
Coastal development de- become a volunteer mem- proach the sea turtles, this
stroy their habitat. Newborn ber; is against the law;
sea turtles are confused by reduce the use of plastic choose sustainable sea-
the lights from these near- and lower its impact: use food farmed sustainably
by structures, which makes reusable products when and in compliance with the
them crawl away from the you go to the beach and law;
beach rather than toward avoid single-use plastic. protect sea turtles and their
it, which can be fatal. Oxybenzone-containing habitat and teach others
Accidental Catch (by- products are prohibited about sea turtles and their
catch): Sea turtles often because they affect coral value.q
become entangled in fish- reefs, the food source for