Sea turtles play a vital role in the ocean’s ecosystem, making their conservation crucial. They spend the majority of their lives in the ocean and only come ashore to lay eggs. The ocean is home to seven distinct species of sea turtles: Leatherback, Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Kemp’s Ridley, and Flatback. To safeguard these remarkable creatures, numerous organizations are dedicated to protecting and preserving sea turtles worldwide.
The Sea Turtle Conservancy, a non-profit organization based in Florida, is recognized as the oldest and most accomplished sea turtle organization globally, founded in 1959. Despite the collective efforts, sea turtles continue to face threats to their existence. Over the past two centuries, illegal human activities have significantly endangered sea turtles worldwide, with the WWF reporting their slaughter for eggs, meat, skin, and shells. These ancient marine treasures have long suffered from poaching, over-exploitation, habitat destruction, and accidental capture in fishing gear, known as bycatch.
Climate change exacerbates the challenges faced by sea turtles, impacting nesting sites and altering sand temperatures, which in turn affects the sex of hatchlings. Almost all sea turtle species are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species considered critically endangered.
If we truly care about sea turtles and marine life as a whole, we must take action immediately. It doesn’t require being part of a group to contribute to the conservation of sea turtles; each individual can make a difference in their own way. The following video showcases three incredible instances where humans rescued sea turtles burdened by excessive barnacles.
The first group featured in the video was on a boat in what seemed to be a remote location. They encountered a middle-aged sea turtle with injuries on its flippers and covered in barnacles. Using an improvised scraper made from a 9mm steel bar, the men scraped off the barnacles with great effort, providing relief to the turtle.
While most barnacles do not harm sea turtles as they only attach to the shell or skin, some species may burrow into the skin, causing discomfort. An excess of barnacles can be a sign of a turtle’s overall health decline, leading to physical inactivity, impaired vision, difficulties in eating, and potential infection. Although barnacles rely on hard surfaces like turtle shells to thrive, it is preferable for a turtle to be barnacle-free.
The video also highlights two other instances where humans rescued sea turtles. Although it’s unclear whether these individuals belong to specific marine animal protection groups, their actions significantly aided the distressed turtles. Their presence at the right time and place proved instrumental in providing assistance.
Encouragingly, more people are joining organizations dedicated to protecting marine life. However, each of us can make an individual contribution by refraining from disposing of any form of trash into the ocean or its vicinity. Even small acts like these can have a profound impact when multiplied across a larger scale.
Remember to watch the video below and share it with your friends and family, spreading awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation.
