The Extinguishing Turtles

Why Marine turtle is so important
Marine turtles are economically important to humans. Why? It is because Marine turtles have become increasingly important as an ecotourism attraction despite being our endangered animals. Their existence flourished the tourism operations that provided jobs and income opportunities to communities throughout the tropical and subtropical part of the world. So, with this welcome development, our endangered animals including marine turtles have stirred people’s interest to nature and their desire to conserve marine waters and preserve the coastal environment.

Marine turtle needs the protection of the government
Marine turtles’ existence is threatened by irresponsible human actions and activities which endangers the existence of marine turtles. Human beings likewise, without regard to the importance marine turtles harvest turtle eggs for food. They also cause hazardous activities that destroy the environment nesting place of these important marine species. In reality, it takes years to for young turtles to reach adult stage. And adult turtles must try to live longer to reproduce over many years for the population to thrive. But, fewer turtles live long enough to reproduce because of various threats to the environment.

Endangered marine turtles
Six of the seven species of marine turtles are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered. Marine turtles have the ability to reproduce abundantly; females can lay hundreds of eggs in one nesting season. However, due to several factors only few young turtles survive during their first year of life. Predators such as crabs, foxes and birds often kill the hatchlings as they make their way from the nest to the sea. According to the Turtle Conservation Coalition, between 48% and 54% of turtle and tortoise species are endangered. The coalition forecasts that without strong management efforts, these species will become extinct within a few decades.

Conservation efforts to protect turtles
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is working around the world to call for the protection of animals including marine turtles. They wanted to raised awareness and at the same time promote ecotourism at marine turtle sites, so that local communities become involved in the preservation of marine turtles and benefit from their action. WWF have managed to conduct the following activities for the protection of marine turtles. One is by promoting regional and international agreements to conserve marine turtles, lobbying for turtle-friendly fishing practices, halting the illegal trade of turtle meat and eggs, and preserving the habitat for nesting. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), was created in 1972, provides special protection to marine mammals. The law has completely restricted the importation of marine mammal products into United States.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

Our endangered animals | KONICA MINOLTA