Research Paper

Protection of Sea Turtle

Nowadays, many wild animals are in trouble because of human activities and environmental problems, so some species or groups of animals have only a few members left. You might have seen endangered species and environmental problems. Many kinds of animals and plants are in danger of becoming extinct, and they may disappear from the earth forever; especially, one of the most endangered species in the world is the sea turtle, although sea turtle has lived in the same way for millions of years. In US Fed News (2006), “sea turtles have survived in the world’s oceans for millions of years; however, all of the five species that occur in North Carolina waters are currently either threatened or endangered” (par. 1). This situation is a great issue on the earth. In Velasquez (2007), “Every three days, researchers from the Caribbean Conservation Corporation walk the beaches here counting sea turtle nests. Four species nest in its black sands- leatherback, green, loggerhead, and hawksbill- each at a different time of year, at a different area on the beach, and at a different depth in the sand. The researchers record whether the female laid eggs or just poled around and, unsatisfied, returned to the sea. And they note if humans, the greatest threat to these ancient mariners, have dug up any eggs” (para. 1). Many kinds of sea turtles are caught and eaten by seabirds and crabs, and even as food for humans. Sea turtles lives’ lives are endangered as the world advances in civilization, and even humans’ lives and various species are threatened by environmental problems. Human have to prevent the extinction of the sea turtles and environment. In fact, I suggest three solutions for protecting sea turtles, which are reduction of environmental problems and human activities, an end to catching and trading sea turtles for food, and foundation of a reservation for sea turtles.

First of all, humans have to reduce environmental problems and human activities for endangered sea turtles. Nowadays, many kinds of countries have increased industrial development and economic growth; on the other hand, they also have increased destruction of environment and extinction of species. Especially, rising sea levels by global warming and land development are threatening endangered sea turtles. According to Greenhalgh’s article (2002), sea turtles lose their breeding places because rising sea levels are eating up many kinds of sandy beaches. Also, many kinds of sea turtles lose their lives and population from climate change. In Science Daily (2007), “Research published this week in the journal Global Change Biology analyses 26 years of loggerhead turtle nesting and climate data and compares the findings with models for future temperatures. The study shows just how vulnerable marine turtle populations are to changes in temperature. The sex of marine turtle hatchlings is determined by the temperature of eggs during incubation, with warmer temperatures producing females and cooler conditions producing males. Temperatures during nesting also need to be at the right level for eggs to develop healthily and hatch successfully” (para. 1). Many kinds of countries try to develop new kinds of beaches and coast towns. For example, Korea developed many kinds of resorts on the coasts and many kinds of tourists and people in Korea went to the beach, so some of areas have had destruction of nature and extinction of species. In Carrell (2004), “To make matters worse, an island’s turtles rarely breed with another island’s turtles. Females return to the beach they were born on to breed. However, many beaches, mangrove swamps and sea grass beds- all essential habits for nesting and for feeding- are being lost to tourism developments such as marinas” (para. 10). Therefore, humans should build up a limited development district and make restoration of the environment and sea turtles.

Next, humans should stop to catch or trade sea turtles for food. Many kinds of countries do not have enough conservation laws about endangered species, so even now some people illegally try to catch or trade sea turtles for food. According to Dewar (2006), poachers and tourists threaten the sea turtle’s breeding places and turtles in the Caribbean are used for food. In Reuters (2007), “Traffic said overexploitation was a threat to the survival of the region’s turtles, targeted for their shells, meat and eggs that are laid on beaches. All six species in the region are classified as endangered or critically endangered. ‘In Guatemala, virtually every turtle egg laid is collected for human consumption,’ Traffic said. By contrast, in Costa Rica, most eggs in trade were from a well-managed programme operated at Ostional on the Pacific coast” (para. 5). Some countries try to sell their sea turtles to tourists because sea turtles are one of special species, so sea turtles are rapidly endangered. Therefore, humans have to stop catching or trading endangered sea turtles for commercial purposes.

Finally, people should make a reservation for sea turtles. Mankind and all species are the owners of the earth, because all of the species on the earth have the vital power of life, and sea turtle is also one of the species. So, humans should try to make conservation areas for endangered sea turtles. And people should try to study endangered sea turtles and environmental problems. If people can make urbanization and development, people have to design it for protection of the natural world and preservation of sea turtles. For example, many kinds of countries have developed new bathing resorts, developed artificial natural parks, and developed land for the purpose of commercial profits. Many countries tried to make land development for long time. In US Fed News (2006), “The signs, which warn people not to enter a limited area of the beach, are strategically posted on the north, south and front approaches to the turtles’ habitat. PMRF and Navy Region Hawaii environmental program leaders, who are constantly working to safeguard the environment, worked with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific (NAVFCPAC) to design and manufacture the signs” (para. 2). One of the best ways to protect sea turtles is to sustain and protect the earth’s ecosystems that serve as habitats. Many people try to make many kinds of wildlife conservation parks for living sea turtles and they also have to set restricted areas for marine life. Therefore, humans have to divide equally between natural development and natural preservation.

Some kinds of people or some less developed countries don’t care about endangered sea turtles or environmental problems, because they want to make economic growth and they believe that that the industrial development should take priority over the preservation of nature. However, I disagree with that position, because destruction of nature and extinction of the species produce bad results for the human race and for the earth. For example, Chinese officials often put economic growth ahead of environmental protection, and the country in recent years has suffered from increasing pollution and endangered species due to industrial growth, so they try to make their effort to protect endangered species and environment; for example, animals that are near extinction are often protected in natural preserves or zoos. Therefore, people have to protect environment and endangered species for human beings.

In conclusion, sea turtles have lived in the same way for millions of years, and are one of the meek animals, but sea turtles are threatened by human activities and environmental pollution. Serious environmental problems are now threatening the various lives of species. Therefore, people should prevent the extinction of the sea turtle and people should also try to have a new angle on the problems of protection and coexistence. I also suggest to people three solutions, reduction of environmental problems and human activities, an end to catching and trading sea turtles for food, and establishment of reservations for sea turtles.

Reference
Caribbean Turtles said threatened by catches, trade. (2007, June 12). AlertNet News. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L12862971.htm

Carrell, S. (2004, November 28). Caribbean Sea Turtles close to extinction. Independent on Sunday. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20041128/ai_n12763492

Dewar, A. (2006, August 20). Treasure Hunting in Tobago. The Sunday Times (London). Retrieved June 19, 2008, from Lexis Nexis

Greenhalgh, R. (2002). Why are sea turtles endangered? Essortment.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from www.essortment.com/all/whyareseaturt_rhxx.htm

National Park Service seeks help to protect sea turtles. (2006, July 31). US Fed News. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from Lexis Nexis

Protecting Sea Turtles. (2006, July 14). US Fed News. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from Lexis Nexis.

Saving threatened turtles in the Caribbean. (2006, November 6). Sciencedaily.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061101151510.htm

Scientists warn of climate change risk to marine turtles. (2007, February 22). Sciencedaily.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070220003809.htm

Velasquez, M. (2007, June 21). Climate Turns up Heat on Sea Turtles. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from Lexis Nexis.