Notes

Since life began on Earth,countless creatures have come and gone, and became extinct by naturally changing physical and biological conditions. Although extinctions occur naturally,scientific evidence strongly indicates that the current rate of extinction is much higher than the natural rate of the past. The main force driving this higher rate of loss is Over-exploitation of wildlife for commercial purposes, environmental pollution, and the spread of diseases also pose serious threats to our world’s biological heritage. So to conserve the ecosystems we should save endangered species.
The endangered species I am going to talk about is Green sea turtle

ABOUT:
Green Sea Turtle – Probably the oldest animal on Earth, that witnessed the dinosaurs’ destruction,
It inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters around the world and has been observed clambering onto land to sunbathe. They primarily eat seagrasses and algae. Like other sea turtles, it migrate long distances between feeding grounds (under sea) and hatching area (beaches). they are very long lived and may live to 100 years in age.

ecology:
Green turtles graze on seagrasses and algae, which maintains the seagrass beds and makes them more productive (much like mowing the lawn to keep it healthy). Seagrass consumed by green turtles is quickly digested and becomes available as recycled nutrients to the many species of plants and animals that live in the sea grass ecosystem. Seagrass beds also function as nurseries for several fish, many of which are of considerable value to commercial fisheries and therefore important to human food security.

reasons for endangerment:
Small turtles are much more susceptible to predators than adults. Seabirds, crabs and raccoons feed on green sea turtles when they first hatch out of their nest on the beach Only sharks are large enough to prey
upon adult sea turtles.
BY MAN:
Man is also a predator of the green turtle. It is killed for their food (meat),leather, oil, and shells also used for cosmetics and clothing industries.. Man has hunted many of the breeding populations to near-extinction.
FISHERIES BYCATCH:
Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles a year are accidentally caught in trawl nets used for catcj-hing fish. Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe, and therefore many drown once caught. Known as bycatch, it is a serious hazard for green turtles. As fishing activity expands, this threat is more of a problem.
HABITAT LOSS
Sea turtles are dependent on beaches for nesting.
Human development threatens many of the most important green turtle nesting beaches.like Coastal construction, beach armoring, beachfront lighting, beach driving, and beach cleaning are significant threats to nesting females and their hatchlings
coastal development, vehicle traffic on beaches, and other human activities have directly destroyed or disturbed sea turtle nesting beaches around the world. Green turtle feeding grounds such as seagrass beds are also at risk from coastal development onshore, which leads to pollution and sedimentation in the nearby waters.
There is recently Fibropapillomatosis(FP) is a disease that was first described in green sea turtles it affects around 50% of the green turtles in Hawaii and is also found at high levels in other green turtle populations, such as Florida. This disease eventually over a period begin to block the sight, breathing, or feeding activities of the turtle. The cause of FP is still unknown, but it appears to occur more commonly in areas that are highly
impacted by human activities.
OVERHARVESTING AND ILLEGAL TRADE
Worldwide, the green turtle continues to be hunted and its eggs harvested. Much of that is for human consumption, but trade of turtle parts remains a profitable business. Tens of thousands of green turtles are harvested every year. In some place sea turtles are killed for use in medicinal value

Being an important part of the the beach/dune and the marine systems, their extinction would have a negative impact on these environments.

attempt to save:

Green sea turtles were listed as endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1978. IT is one of the most successful environmental laws in U.S. history and America’s foremost tool for protecting biodiversity. They are also protected by the state law of many coastal states . WWF organisation also works to conserve wildlife. and more organisation.
In the U.S., it is illegal to import or export turtle products, and it is illegal to kill, capture, or harass sea turtles.
ELIMINATING BYCATCH
WWF (WOrldWildLife) aims to reduce turtle bycatch by working with fisheries to switch to more turtle-friendly fishing hooks (“circle” hooks) and all shrimp trawlers in U.S. waters are required to pull Turtle Excluder Devices (TED’s). These allow turtles to escape from shrimp nets if they are caught. We run an international competition called Smart Gear to attract creative new ways to solve bycatch problems and to advance those ideas. Winning devices have been designed to minimize the bycatch of turtles. We work with fishermen to help them save turtles caught in fishing gear. We also use satellite devices to track turtle movements to help prevent future interactions between fisheries and turtles.

PROTECTING SEA TURTLE HABITAT
WWF works around the world to establish marine protected areas (MPA) to ensure sea turtles have a safe place to nest, feed and migrate freely. We encourage governments to strengthen legislation and provide funding for sea turtle protection. WWF also supports the monitoring and patrolling of turtle nests in many parts of the world to equip local turtle conservationists. This often leads to ecotourism opportunities and offers alternative livelihoods.
SATELLITE TRACKING
Releasing tagged turtle
Satellite telemetry allows researchers to track sea turtles as they swim from place to place. These satellite tags do not harm the turtles in any way and are designed to eventually fall off. The data will tell us where important feeding areas are, help us understand migration patterns, and anticipate where turtles may come in contact with fisheries and their gear.
OVERHARVESTING AND ILLEGAL TRADE
WWF works with local communities to reduce turtle harvesting and egg collection. Exploitation of turtles is often driven by a lack of economic choices. WWF works to develop alternative livelihoods so that local people are no longer dependent on turtle products for income. WWF also supports programs that promote the value of sea turtles.
WWF works to stop the illegal trade of turtle meat and eggs, through TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network. We also train and equip local rangers to protect turtles from poaching and patrol nesting beaches.

CONCLUSION:
It is possible for anyone to help support sea turtle conservation. You can help participate in beach cleanups or attend a public sea turtle walk. You can do a presentation on turtles for a class to raise awareness, adopt a turtle, or follow a sea turtle telemetry project. You can help just by remembering not to release balloons or throw trash into the ocean. You can help spread the word to your family and friends that sea turtles are an important part of our environment and should be protected.