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While it is true that we are making positive strides over the last decade,…
While it is true that we are making positive strides over the last decade, our myriad of negative actions in the past warrant an equally active participation in positive conservation efforts in order to save the Hawksbill Sea Turtle and other critically endangered species alike.
THREATS
Exploitation via Poaching of the Hawksbill Turtle is one of the largest threats the species faces today. While banned in most nations (1975 CITES international trade), many third world countries have few laws against it.
The Hawksbill's Shell is harvested and often used to make jewellery, pottery and other decorative ornaments.Their leather is used for perfume, oil and cosmetics.
over the last 100 years, more than a million Hawksbill Turtles have been killed for the tortoiseshell markets of Europe, USA, and Asia.
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Also slaughtered for turtle meat which is considered a delicacy in some parts of the world. Additionally, many parts of the world still take part in egg collection which destroys the breeding grounds in the process
Impact of fisheries bycatch is another threat that all turtles face but especially the Hawksbill and Loggerhead sea turtles due to their geographic residence closer to fishing waters. While it still remains an issue, many new technological advanced nets are being tested to allow turtles to escape netting thus reducing the risk. More research and adoption of new nets is required to eliminate the problem as a whole.This can be considered as a major historical threat that is slowly disappearing due to better fishing practices
Risk of Sex Ratio Distortion via Feminization is emerging as an issue for species biodiversity for all sea turtle populations including the Hawksbill . An increase in nesting temperatures in causing a majority of the offspring in being born female thus affecting breeding practice.
Destruction of breeding grounds and nesting habitat is another big factor affecting the species population. Tourism has created need to expand and build closer to the waters. Moreover, an increased human presence also has caused issues in maintaining breeding ground
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Assistive Breeding practices such as makeshift breeding nurseries and shading existing breeding grounds are helping fight feminization. Renewed public interest also allows conservation of existing breeding grounds from tourism.
Strict regulations on poaching of the species can help reduce poaching especially in third world countries. New regulations and policing efforts to guard larger concentrations of the species is being put in effect.
Technological advancements such as bio tagging allow researchers to follow Hawksbill turtles during the breeding process and provide useful data to allow for better conservation efforts.
Public Education on the importance of the Hawksbill Turtle along with programs such as "Adopt a Turtle" provide funding to conservation efforts around the globe along with decreasing the demand for its shell thus making poaching less profitable.
Technological advancements and public awareness has already lead to reduced rates of turtle death rates due to fishing bycatch as well as pollution in the ocean such as plastics that a turtle may get entangled in. (new fish netting, biodegradable plastics etc.)
INTRODUCTION
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is one of the smallest species of turtles. It is considered by many as the most beautiful sea turtle due to its patterned shell.
Primary source of food includes coral reef sponges which are toxic to most other marine life. This provides the Hawksbill turtle with an abundant supply of food.
It was listed in 1996 as a Critically Endangered species by the IUCN based of a large decline in populations of around 80%. The Hawksbill is in risk of extinction due to poaching, accidental bycatch and more recently caused by its low genetic diversity via feminization.
Live in a wide range of locations but are predominantly found in the tropical reefs of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. The species overall does have a wide geographic range but tends to reside in the reefs.
Considered a Keystone species due to its important role in its ecosystem. By consuming coral reef sponges, the Hawksbill keeps the sponge growth in balance allowing the reef to grow and smaller species to forage for food in areas previously occupied by toxic sponge.
FUTURE
I believe that understanding and acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step to any successful solution. While many remain unfazed, a large number of determined individuals are working hard to make positive changes. Whether you are donating to a conservation effort or are on the front lines as a researcher affecting positive change, every single effort builds to become a long term catalyst for change
Many steps have already been taken to address comparatively distant threats such as fish by catching. As many start to understand the ramifications of extortion, more resources and efforts are being put in place for endangered species like the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. While we continue to tackle poaching, many have started to already address newer issues like feminization. It is my belief that though there are many challenges left to tackle, with continued efforts, we will be able to bring positive change and bring things back to equilibrium.
CHALLENGES
Social Education is a big challenge when poaching is concerned. Many of these poaching practices have underlying cultural beliefs. Considering certain meats/ eggs a delicacy or a natural remedy creates a market for poaching . This is especially evident third world countries with thriving black markets . Educating locals on longterm impacts while using science to respectfully disprove long believed cultural health claims can be challenging.
Maintaining proper sex ratios and battling feminization can only be done via short term solutions for the time being. The underlying problem of global warming as a whole is causing the higher breeding temperatures and can only be tackled successfully in the long term if we make big picture changes to fight global warming as a whole. In the time being we can only provide short term solutions such as assistive breeding to maintain populations
Another political challenge come from funding programs that help with conservation efforts. While some government grants may be of assistance, the majority of the current efforts rely on public donations or fundraising efforts .Funding is necessary to tackle critical problems where human intervention is necessary