World Turtle Day

Loose fishing gear called “ghost nets” drastically affects sea turtle populations. They need to come to the surface for air and often drown tangled up in the nets and fishing lines. Inter-Research Science Publisher reported in December 2012, “Numbers of stranded turtles encountered by our 106 respondents were in the thousands per year, with 5.5% of turtles encountered; 90.6% of these dead”. Nets and litter on beaches also trap hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the shoreline. 1 in 1,000 turtles make it to adulthood.

All seven species are vulnerable or endangered. After travelling our seas for 100 million years, our actions could be the end of their long ocean reign. But it’s not over yet. Below are just a few of the ongoing projects to save turtles and how you can get involved:

• Oceans Alive- Turtle Protection Programme, in collaboration with Buneni Turtle Watch, has trained fishermen in the Kuruwitu Co-Management area to ensure the safety of hatchlings. Check out their page to find out how you can get involved, including marine expeditions, internships and donations.
• Sea Shepard- Operation Ghost Net uses experienced divers and 3D scanners to remove nets safely, but only if there is no habitation from marine life. Experienced divers are always needed- for more information, contact ghostnet@seashepherduk.org. If you see ghost nets, please fill out the form on their website.
• Rainforest Trust- Côte d’Ivoire’s Grand Béréby Coast will protect 56 miles of shoreline in a marine protected area, spanning 640,000 acres.
• WWF- Adopt a turtle, a perfect gift for a friend, including regular updates and a cuddly toy. Your donation will help input into the Fuji Sea Turtle Recovery Plans, as well as promote the use of less harmful fishing gear and data sharing with local communities.

@ifawuk @turtle.foundation @seaturtlerescuealliance @conserveturtles @see_turtles @oceans_alive_kenya @rainforesttrust @seashepard @world_wildlife