Sea turtles are given legal protection in the United States and its waters under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which lists the hawksbill, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley and green turtle as endangered; the loggerhead sea turtle is listed as threatened with extinction; and the Pacific bluefin tuna is classified as a species of special concern.
(FWS) is the federal agency that oversees the protection of endangered and threatened species. FWS is also responsible for the management of the nation’s fish and wildlife resources.
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Is there hope for restoring sea turtles?
Important recovery of some local populations has shown that we can turn things around for sea turtles. This comeback is promising, not just for turtles, but also for the marine environment as a whole.
How can we help stranded sea turtles?
Organizations are trained and ready to respond if you report a turtle. If you see a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead sea turtle, you should immediately report it to your local Fish and Wildlife Service office. Sighting of a Dead or Sick Sea Turtle to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) The MMPA is a federal law designed to protect sea turtles and other marine mammals in the United States from the threat of overfishing, pollution, and over-harvesting.
To report a dead or sick marine mammal, you must first contact the appropriate state or federal agency and provide the following information: The name, address, telephone number (including area code), and e-mail address of any person or organization that may be able to assist you in locating the animal.
Why should we protect sea turtles?
Sea turtles have been important in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years. The roles range from maintaining productive coral reef ecosystems to transporting essential nutrients from the oceans to beaches.
In recent years, however, the threat of overfishing and climate change have led to a decline in the number of turtles and other marine animals that are able to migrate to and from their breeding grounds.
As a result, many of these species are now considered endangered or vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
How the turtles are conserved?
India is dedicated towards conserving non-marine chelonians, crocodilians and cetaceans, and functions as a field program of WCS-India through five field-based projects across the country in the areas of conservation, research and education.
How are people helping increase the population of sea turtles?
Act has required devices that allow sea turtles to escape from fishing nets, protected whales from approaching vessels, and reduced disorienting lighting from sea turtle nesting beaches. International conservation efforts have also helped to reduce the number of turtles that are killed by commercial fishing.
In addition, the Act requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop and implement a plan for the protection of marine turtles and other marine life in the United States. (1) an assessment of the current state of protection for marine turtle populations; (2) recommendations for improving protection; and (3) a description of actions that will be taken to protect the species.
What protects marine turtles which are at risk of being extinct?
Sea turtles have a safe place to nest, feed and migrate if wwf establishes marine protected areas around the world. Governments are encouraged to strengthen legislation and provide funding for the protection of marine turtles.
