How to Help..

 

The remaining hawksbill turtles are in dire need of our assistance. There are many ways you can help but we need to act fast. No matter where you are in the world, you are able to help conservation efforts for hawksbill turtles. First of all, you can reduce the amount waste you produce, specifically helium-filled balloons. Like plastic trash, helium balloons end up in the ocean, especially when released near the coast. Sea turtles mistakenly eat the balloons and die. Spread the word and help to stop people releasing balloons to the sky. 

 

You can also limit and substitute chemicals you use in your home and around your house. Many people use chemicals and fertilizers on their lawns and gardens. Used motor oil and paints are deadly to plants and animals if not disposed of correctly. Many of these chemicals get washed into coastal lagoons and wash up on beaches. It is important to try and find biodegradable substitutes to chemicals you use around your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big issue that Hawksbill and all turtles face is commercial fishing. For example you’re just a local fishermen, off the coast of Guam. You are using a long line which is a huge fishing line that can have thousands of hooks and lures and can stretch for several miles behind boats. When you catch a hawksbill turtle, you may not know that it’s caught, but the turtle does. Being caught, can cause it to drown because it cannot get to the surface to get air, or the hook can be digested and cause a much slower death, for the turtle.

Solution:

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• Make sure that the fish you buy from your local grocery store are caught by turtle-friendly fisheries

• Inform and encourage family and friends to purchase seafood from responsible fisheries. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a seafood guide to help you pick more sustainable fish http://www.seafoodwatch.org/

• Petition the government to continually inspect fishing vessels to ensure that they are following the protection laws.

 

Climate Change is another major obstacle turtles are subjected to. As the water temperatures rise, also as coral deaths begin to occur. Rising sea levels will lead to less nesting sites for the hawksbill. Less nesting sites and habitats, equals less turtles, less turtles equals more jellyfish, more jellyfish equal less people visiting islands for the beaches. Climate Change has an effect on almost every species on this planet.

 

Solutions:

• vote for government representatives that support measures for environmental sustaining energy sources, like wind and solar.

• Drive less and encourage others to do the same to decrease carbon emissions. Minimize your carbon footprint and encourage others to do the same.

• Support legislation that will help decrease global warming

 

                                                                                                             Marine Debris creates a serious                                                                                                                                    problem for turtles. It is estimated                                                                                                                                    that there are 100 million tons of                                                                                                                                      plastics in the Earth’s oceans. This is                                                                                                                                equal to the landmass of the United                                                                                                                                  States and India. The turtles ingest                                                                                                                                  the plastics, even a small amount can                                                                                                                              lead to harm. They no longer eat and                                                                                                                                often cannot pass gas. Therefore, they                                                                                                                              float to the water surface and are an                                                                                                                                easy target for predators.

                                                                                                                   

Solutions:

• reduce, reuse, & recycle plastics

• volunteer at beach clean-up events

• do not release balloons into the air; once the balloons land, turtles can mistake them for jellyfish prey and if swallowed a balloon can block the digestive tract and lead to death by starvation.

• don’t buy plastic, there are so many better substitutes. Ideas; cloth and paper bags, going without a staw can make a hugh impact. 

 

Illegal shell trade is especially threatening the survival of the hawksbill turtle.

 

Solutions:

• raise awareness and educate tourists & suppliers

• support legislation internationally and locally to control the trading of these shells.

 

Artificial Lighting, discourages female nesting turtles to lay their eggs because of the lights. According to scientists hatchlings follow the brightest thing (the Moon, and the Sun), leading them to the ocean. But if there are artificial lights then the hatchlings follow those instead which  lead them inland where they often die of dehydration or predation.

 

Solutions:

• TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS! If you have a beach residence near nesting turtles nothing could be more beneficial than turning off your lights. (Also enjoy the night sky!)

 

You Can Save a Hawksbill:

 

These animals do not experience war, hate, or violence, they are completely peaceful animals, and their livelihood keeps our water ecosystems healthy. Yet we are killing these innocent animals, for products that we have little use for.  Next time you are at the market, bring your own bag instead of using plastic, and save a Hawksbill. Walk, bike, carpool, instead of driving and save a Hawksbill. Save the Hawksbill for their intrinsic value;  shouldn’t future generations get to experience the wonders of the ocean and the beauty of the creatures in it? I believe so and hopefully so do you. It's not difficult to make small changes in your life which can have a tremendous impact on the habitat for the Hawksbill turtles. Give these magnificent, graceful creatures their rightful place on our planet. They deserve it.