World Turtle Day: 2010 May 23

Turtles are one of the most endearing and symbolic of America’s native wildlife. Turtles not only fascinate each passing generation of children, who find endless wonders under those hard shells, but they also continue to serve as a timeless role model in children’s literature: the slow and steady turtle, whose patient progress always wins out against his fast but feckless competitor.

Yet the turtles’ lofty status hasn’t prevented humans from abusing the creature. In fact, all land, freshwater, and sea turtles are facing imminent threats to their survival, simply because of human activities. Turtles are the reptile most affected by the pet trade, not to mention the food and traditional medicine industries. Many turtle species also suffer from the effects of pollution as well as from the destructive effects of industrial fishing operations.

Despite these hardships, May is a busy month for turtles. Many have recently emerged from winter hibernation and are beginning their search for mates and nesting areas. For this reason, May 23 was designated World Turtle Day.

World Turtle Day was initiated in 2000 by the  American Tortoise Rescue, a turtle and tortoise rescue organization founded in 1990 in Malibu, California. The group brings attention to turtle conservation issues and highlights ways each of us can help protect these gentle but jeopardized animals. In the spirit of World Turtle Day, we at The HSUS also have  suggested actions you can take to honor these fascinating creatures.

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are not your typical party animals, but this month they have a lot to celebrate: The state of Hawaii has declared May 23 Sea Turtle Day.

Just how bad is it for sea turtles? Currently, all seven species are arguably the most endangered animals on earth. Their survival is seriously threatened by destructive industrial fishing operations such as  longlining and shrimp trawling. Fishing nets and lines pulled through the oceans accidentally snare and kill countless sea turtles each year. Nesting habitat is also disappearing at an alarming rate as beach-front development flourishes. And although many local, national, and international laws protect them from trade, sea turtles continue to be collected for their eggs, meat, and shells; in many areas, live turtles and their eggs are targeted for direct consumption.

Yet, despite the many threats, there is hope for sea turtles. Many individuals and groups, like WTT, are working to make the world’s oceans a safer place for one of their oldest inhabitants.

Turtle Excluder Devices and Longlining

Steps are also being taken to limit the harmful effect fishing practices have on sea turtles. Many longline fishermen are cooperative and want to help recover and protect endangered sea turtles. They work alongside government organizations and protection groups to develop fishing techniques that reduce sea turtle injury and mortality.

As a result of this work, new regulations were issued in April 2003 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), requiring that fishing operations in the Atlantic use larger  turtle excluder devices (TEDs) to allow bulkier sea turtles such as the loggerhead and  leatherback to escape fishing nets. The regulations went into effect in August 2003 in the Gulf of Mexico as well.

Larger TEDs are not the perfect solution, though. Some sea turtles also die from the injuries and trauma caused by TED gear failures and by being captured and released numerous times. Devices that may minimize trauma to captured turtles are being considered, including a turtle hoist and turtle tether to pull the captured animals free of fishing nets and lines.

NMFS has also proposed additional changes in longlining operations to reduce sea turtle mortality. The proposals include the use of a larger, more circular-shaped longline hook instead of the traditional J-shaped hook, not to mention using bait that will not attract sea turtles. NMFS began testing the new hooks and bait in Hawaii in mid-April 2004, when the state’s ban on longlining was lifted. Initial tests on these new procedures were conducted in the Grand Banks during a three-year study. The findings suggest a 60% to 90% reduction rate in sea turtle bycatch.

Sea turtles are not the only turtles facing serious threats.

Turtles as Pets

Turtles are by far the most popular pet reptile. In 2002, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, nearly two million American households kept at least one turtle as a pet. This constitutes nearly 50% of all households that keep a pet reptile.

The price of this pet ownership, at least for the animals, is high: Over-collection of turtles for the pet trade has harmed many wild turtle populations in the United States and abroad. Each year thousands of turtles perish during capture and shipping because of mistreatment and neglect. Of those who survive, thousands die annually because owners do not care for them properly. Most people who buy turtles don’t realize how difficult they are to care for, nor do they know that turtles pose a threat to human health because the reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria. The bacteria can cause severe and possibly life-threatening illness, especially in young children.

The Turtle Trade

Throughout the world, the number of turtle species that have become critically endangered has doubled in the last five years due to their popularity in the food and traditional medicine trade. In the United States, turtles comprise approximately 95% of reptile exports each year. Thirty-five million turtles were exported from the United States between 2000 – 2002.

The majority, more than seven million per year, were freshwater turtles destined for Southeast Asia to supply the growing food markets. Because many wild turtle populations in Asia have been decimated by over-collection, dealers have begun targeting U.S. turtle populations to meet the Asian market demands.

In May 2003, North Carolina passed legislation allowing the state Department of Natural Resources to protect native reptile and amphibian species from exploitation before they become threatened and endangered from over-collection. In order to stop turtle collection for the Asian market, the state then banned the harvest of freshwater turtles. South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama are considering similar action. In addition to conservation concerns, turtles in the food trade are treated with little or no regard as living creatures.

Pollution and Development

Loss of habitat and destruction of habitat (via damaging collection techniques) are serious threats to all turtle populations. The gopher tortoise, for instance, is declining throughout its range, particularly in Florida, primarily because of development. Researchers believe if action is not taken, the gopher tortoise will only exist within protected areas. Coastal developments such as hotels, resorts, and condominiums also greatly reduce suitable nesting habitats for sea turtles.

Refuse, such as discarded plastic bags and balloons, cause suffocation, strangulation, or blocked digestive tracts in many turtles. Pollution, in the form of hazardous chemicals and garbage, further limits suitable habitats for turtles and causes illness and death in many land, freshwater, and sea turtles.

A study conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Services at three sites in the Great Lakes region found deformities in male snapping turtles, believed to be the result of chemical pollution. Young turtles in the region also showed other biological abnormalities including impaired thyroid function.

What’s more, sea turtle populations near areas of intense human activity are suffering from the deadly disease Fibropapilloma, which may be caused by chemical pollution. It is believed that nearly 50% of all green sea turtles that occur off the coast of Hawaii are infected with this disease and will perish from it. Fibropapilloma is a contagious disease that causes turtles to develop large tumors that cover their soft tissue and spread to many parts of the body. External tumors inhibit the turtle’s breathing, sight, and/or feeding ability, eventually killing the animal. Internal tumors destroy vital organs such as lungs, liver, and kidneys.

For more information check out The Humane Society of the United States: Celebrate World Turtle Day