Ocean Plastic — SEE Turtles (2024)

FAQs

Is it true or false over 80% of sea turtles are found to have consumed plastic? ›

Researchers have also found that sea turtles are attracted to the way that marine plastics smell, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. As a result, scientists have estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic.

Sharp plastics can rupture internal organs and bags can cause intestinal blockages leaving turtles unable to feed, resulting in starvation. Even if they survive, consuming plastic can make turtles unnaturally buoyant, which can stunt their growth and lead to slow reproduction rates.

How do hatchling sea turtles know where the ocean is when they emerge from their nests? Sea turtle hatchlings have an inborn tendency to move in the brightest direction. On a natural beach, the brightest direction is most often the open view of the night sky over, and reflected by, the ocean.

In a new study published this week in Current Biology, researchers may have pinpointed one of the reasons these charismatic marine reptiles eat small bits of plastic floating in the ocean. These plastic pieces develop a coating of algae and microorganisms, which the researchers found smells like food to turtles.

It has been estimated that over one million sea turtles are killed each year by ingesting plastic and other forms of debris. This accounts for around 10% of the entire population of sea turtles.

Plastic straws can also harm sea turtles by getting caught in their nostrils or throat. This can cause the turtle to suffocate or prevent it from feeding properly. Plastic straws can also entangle sea turtles, making it difficult for them to swim and hunt for food.

Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution are only some of the things sea turtles must fight against to stay alive.

The Problem: Over 1 million marine animals (including mammals, fish, sharks, turtles, and birds) are killed each year due to plastic debris in the ocean (UNESCO Facts & Figures on Marine Pollution). Currently, it is estimated that there are 100 million tons of plastic in oceans around the world.

Adult sea turtles have a few predators, mostly large sharks. Tiger sharks, in particular, are known for eating sea turtles. Killer whales have been known to prey on leatherback turtles. Fishes, dogs, seabirds, raccoons, ghost crabs, and other predators prey on eggs and hatchlings.

For example, artificial lights on sea turtle nesting beaches can deter female turtles from nesting and can disorient females and their hatchlings on their way to the sea. The disruption of hatchling movement has lethal consequences to hatchlings both on the beach and in nearshore waters.

Why do you turn off lights for sea turtles? ›

Artificial lights near nesting beaches also threaten adult female sea turtles hauling out to nest. As they're approaching a beach from the sea, these females instinctually seek out dark places to deposit their eggs. Bright lights can deter females from coming ashore at all.

Myth #2: The turtle is looking for its mother

Mother turtles do not care for their young. Once the eggs have been laid, the mother has done her job and returns to her pond. The young turtles are completely independent from the moment they hatch.

Sea turtles have played vital roles in maintaining the health of the world's oceans for more than 100 million years. These roles range from maintaining productive coral reef ecosystems to transporting essential nutrients from the oceans to beaches and coastal dunes.

Controlling Algae Growth

As they feed on seagrass, they inadvertently consume small pieces of algae that would otherwise settle on coral surfaces and hinder their growth. The presence of sea turtles helps keep algae levels in check, ensuring corals receive sufficient light for photosynthesis.

The shell is a natural suit of armor that protects the green turtle from predators. Although it can't draw its arms, legs or head into its shell, its scaly, tough skin also provides some defense.

Along with fishing gear and climate change, there are numerous other man-made threats to sea turtles. These threats include coastal development, pollution, direct harvest, invasive species and vessel strikes.

Since 1989, United States fishers are required to use Turtle Excluder Devices in trawl nets, which can allow most turtles to escape. Each year, about 50,000 loggerheads and 5,000 Kemp's ridley sea turtles are killed in shrimp nets in U.S. waters.

It will take more than the elimination of plastic straws to slow that trend. Researchers found that 54% of post-hatchling sea turtles had plastic inside them, reports the Ocean Blue Project. An estimated 1,000 sea turtles die every year by consuming plastic, the report added.

They can get stuck in it while swimming.

Many turtles make long migrations and pass through areas with a lot of ocean plastic. They can get caught in things like six pack rings or discarded fishing gear.