Marine Turtles Tracked to Aid Conservation and Preservation

Researchers are using GPS devices to track the earth’s most endangered animal species, the marine turtle. Three out of its the seven existing types are classified as critically endangered, and the other four are listed as endangered.

The devices, weighing less than a quarter of a pound, have been attached to the backs of baby flatback turtles. Scientists at the James Cook University in Australia hope to find out where the turtles travel while young, where they live and how they navigate currents in the ocean.

The goal is to identify threats that affect them, everything from destruction of their preferred habitat to predators and fishing tackle.

100 Million Years Old

The species is one of oldest on the planet, going back for 100 million years. It is only in the last 200 years that they have been under threat due to human interacting with the environment.

The turtles are an essential part of the marine and coastal ecosystems. The males never leave the water and female come on land just to lay eggs. They mature slowly and can easily live to be 80 years old.

Threats to Marine Turtles

The main threat is from the destruction of their habitats, especially nesting beaches. Roadways and buildings have lights that confuse the hatchlings so they can’t find the sea. Beach sand becomes compacted from motor traffic, making it impossible for them to dig nests. Erosion of beaches is another major problem.

Commercial fishing with gill nets, longlines, trawls and gear for catching shrimp are major threats. The turtles get entangled and drown.

Both the turtles and their eggs are killed on purpose by humans for their meat, eggs and body fat, a prime ingredient in turtle soup. The skin is used for leather and their shells for handicrafts. They are even stuffed and sold to tourists. Natural predators include tiger sharks, killer whales, seabirds, dogs and raccoons.

Pollution that includes trash on beaches, old fishing gear, petroleum by-products kill the turtles when they mistake them for food or they walk on them and get trapped. The chemicals contaminating the ocean weaken their immune systems.

Climate change has increased the chance of extremes in temperature and storms. This has a major effect on the ocean, their habitat, as well as beaches.

Following the turtles with GPS tracking devices lets scientists find out the main threats they are facing. This in turn will lead to better conservation measures.

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