RACE FOR SURVIVAL: Threats to Sea Turtles

SEA TURTLES HAVE DECLINED NEARLY TO EXTINCTION. THEY ARE KILLED FOR MEAT AND LEATHER. THEIR EGGS ARE EATEN. THEIR NESTING BEACHES ARE COVERED WITH BUILDINGS. THEY CHOKE ON RECREATIONAL FISHING HOOKS, AND DROWN IN COMMERCIAL TRAWLS AND ON LONGLINES.

REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AT GULF SPECIMEN MARINE LABORATORY AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD TREAT AND RELEASE INJURED TURTLES.

		SEA TURTLES DROWN IN TRAWLS AND ON LONGLINE HOOKS OF COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN.
IN MANY COUNTRIES, SEA TURTLES AND THEIR EGGS ARE STILL HARVESTED AND EATEN. . DEAD TURTLES WASH UP ON BEACHES. GREEN TURTLES OFTEN DIE OF A TUMOROUS CONDITION CALLED FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE MORE COMMON WHERE COASTAL WATERS HAVE DEVELOPED EXCESSIVE NUTRIENTS FROM HUMAN POLLUTION.

ON PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, A SIGN THAT DISCOURAGES HUMAN TAMPERING WITH A SEA TURTLE NEST IS USELESS AGAINST HIGH TIDES LAPPING THE SEA WALL, DROWNING THE EGGS.		SEAWALLS INTENSIFY BEACH EROSION,DESTROYING NESTING HABITAT. URBAN LIGHTS CAN DISORIENT HATCHLINGS AND TRAP THEM ON THE BEACH, WHERE THEY MAY PERISH FROM DEHYDRATION, PREDATION, OR FROM STRAYING ONTO ROADS WHERE THEY ARE RUN OVER.