Sea Turtles In Hawaii
Sea turtles, which are native to Hawaii, have been around for more than 40 million years! Unfortunately, due to the carelessness of humans, many of their habitats have been destroyed. Learn about what has been done to protect sea turtles, their role in the environment and what steps you can take to help!
A sea turtle on a beach
Five out of the seven existing species of sea turtles are indigenous to the oceans surrounding Hawaii and have called these waters their home for more than 40 million years. These turtles have been evolving for millions of years, and the process is still ongoing. The five sea turtle species native to these waters are the green sea turtle (honu), hawksbill (honu’ea), leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. However, the traditional green sea turtle is the most commonly encountered in the Hawaiian reefs, as they enjoy spending time in the proximity of humans.
The Hawaiian green sea turtle sports a variety of colors, including olive-green, yellow, greenish-brown, reddish-brown, and black. Sea turtles are very extraordinary, as they could once live up to 50–100 years old. However, because of careless human activity in these waters, sea turtles are becoming an endangered species, and are on the face of becoming extinct.
Reasons for Endangerment
Bycatch:
In general, all species of sea turtles are protected from human activity under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition, they are also protected by Hawaii’s Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 195D and Hawaii’s Administrative Rules (HAR) 13–124. Humans are supposed to maintain a far distance from sea turtles in these waters, and they will be fined if they do not maintain the proper distance of 10 feet.
However, because fishermen fish for food in these Hawaiian reefs, they sometimes accidentally catch sea turtles in their nets or injure them with their hooks. Also, this illegal fishing takes away from the sea turtles’ diet, which can lead to an unbalanced ecosystem. However, laws do protect sea turtles from being sold when they are caught.
Loss of Habitat/ Global Warming:
Due to the increase in coastal development of buildings and houses along the seashore, sea turtles’ habitats are being destroyed. In addition, people ignorantly drive their cars along the beach where sea turtles are housed and where female sea turtles lay their eggs during the nesting season. These eggs become destroyed, and unfortunately, many of these eggs are never able to hatch, leading to a lack of reproduction.
Turtle Egg Consumption:
Turtle eggs are very valuable in many countries for trading and income, and many people will kill nesting females for these eggs. Once the female lays her eggs, they kill her and take both her eggs and her meat. Again, it is illegal to harm, harass, or kill any sea turtles, their hatchling, or their eggs. It is also illegal to import, sell, or transport these products.
Preservation of Biodiversity
Sea turtles have a very significant role in our ecosystem, and it is important we protect them so they can continue to perform their essential duties in the environment. These crucial roles include maintaining productive coral reef ecosystems and transporting essential nutrients from the oceans to the beaches. In addition, the remaining eggshells laid by the female sea turtles on the beach from their hatched hatchlings provide important nutrients that nourish the vegetation of beach grasses. This helps to balance the sand dunes and prevent coastal erosion.
If sea turtles were to go extinct, they would severely disrupt entire food chains and ecosystems. Sea turtles maintain aquatic habitats, such as coral reefs, which are necessary for the survival of many species, including fish and frogs. Many aquatic ecosystems would collapse without sea turtles.
How Can You Help?
As a society, fishermen and poachers must all come together to stop harming sea turtles and illegally killing them for profit.
On a tourist level, when visiting beaches, like those in Hawaii, keep a far distance from female turtles’ nesting areas. They are often guarded with caution tape, which you should not go near. In addition, make sure to keep these beaches as dark as possible for sea turtles, and turn off any lights visible from the beach. Bright lights disorient hatchling sea turtles, as well as scare and discourage females from coming onto the beach to lay their eggs. This results in a lack of reproduction. When these females are nesting, do not disturb them or their hatchlings.
Lastly, when swimming in these waters, keep a minimum of 10 feet away from all sea turtles.
Recap
Sea turtles have been around for more than 40 million years and are native to Hawaii. They are constantly evolving to become more suitable for their environment. However, with careless human activities, sea turtles are struggling to reproduce and care for their offspring. Their habitats are being destroyed due to the coastal development of houses and buildings and by humans driving their cars on beaches.
Because of this possibility of extinction, sea turtles are all protected by humans under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, Hawaii’s Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 195D and Hawaii’s Administrative Rules (HAR) 13–124 also protect them from human activity. Laws are put in place to make sure humans do not disturb these sea turtles’ functions. Humans are fined if they do not maintain the proper distance of 10 feet away from sea turtles. In addition, it is illegal to harm, harass, or kill any sea turtles, their hatchling, or, their eggs. It is also illegal to import, sell, or transport these products.
Sea turtles have a crucial role in the environment, as they maintain aquatic habitats, including coral reefs, which are necessary for the survival of many different aquatic species. We must come together as a society to protect these important animals.