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Looking at a turtle and his hard shell, you might think that these animals are rather good to protect themselves. But they are far awaymore vulnerable than many realize, with their populations decimated in recent decades by human activities and changes in environmental conditions. Almost all species ofThe sea turtle is now endangered, endangeredTurtles are strongly selling on the black market and some of the rarest sea turtle species havedisappeared. In honor of World Turtle Day on May 23, it is ideal to remember everything you can do to help protect these creatures. Here are 10 ways to save turtles, according to the experts of turtle conservation. And for more suggestions on how to help vulnerable animals, see17 little things you can do to help endangered species.

The fishing industry is one of the greatest threats to the turtles of the sea. Reptiles are often caught in accident fishing nets (with dolphins, sharks, and more) and die. So what can you do to save these captured turtles? "You can help guide fishing industries to more user-friendly turtle practices using sustainably captured seafood", exhortsAshleigh bandmere, coordinator of the sea turtle program for the ocean society, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging individuals toAssistance with ocean conservation efforts.

The ocean society offers a step-by-step guide, as well as theWildlife World Fund- to make sure that you buy and consume seafood that has been durable and thatno sea turtle has been injured To get the fish at your table.

This effort extends to those who like to fish themselves. When you try to catch a dinner for yourself, make sure you do not leave aside that can damage the sea turtles that share the habitat, like the fishing line. "Rejected fishing lines often prevent turtles and may result in the amputation of their tires," saysMike Osmond, head of the main program to the Global Wildlife Fund - United States.

It was aDisturbing video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck In its nostril that triggered the movement to prohibit plastic straws. And while this campaign has been surprisingly effective, it is only the tip of the iceberg - or should we say, the summit of the mountain of garbage - in terms of plastic refusal endangering the turtles of the sea .

"Remember that every piece of plastic used will continue to exist forever and could end up in the ocean, only to be wrong for food and swallowed by a sea turtle," says Bandmere. "You can help directly." You can help directly Turtles by refusing single-use plastic, using reusable alternatives to plastic bags and containers, to vote to prohibit plastics and gather garbage on your local beach or waterway. "

But the first step is to follow all the plastic waste you create in a period of 24 hours, saysDavid Godfrey, Executive Director ofConservation of sea turtles in Gainesville, Florida, who recruited dozens of companies throughout the state ofProhibit the use of plastic straws.

After following your plastic use, consider how much it is when all the people on your street, in your city and across the country are taken into account. Then make small changes to cut. "Start with something simple, likePlastic switch bags for reusable fabric bagsAnd work your way to the head of a lifetime without plastic, "says Godfrey. And for other ecological items to invest in, discover15 ecological gifts who will give back.

Godfrey suggests that anyone seeking to help save the turtles of the sea should start with their lawn products. "FindLawn and garden biodegradable products Whether you can use and facilities that properly eliminate toxic chemicals, "he says. AndChristine Madden Hof, project manager of marine species toWWF-AUSTRALIA, takes a step further, saying "pay attention to what you are putting on your sink [and] Wash your aisles" too.

"Everything ends in the ocean and turtles ingest not only plastics but also accumulate chemicals", exhort Hof. "We know for some turtle populations, these chemicals have a negative impact on their health." Hof points to WWF-AustraliaReef sheets at Turtles project, which identifies chemicals that pollute the rivers of Australia and the Great Barrier Barrier.

If you organize a barbecue by the beach or a socially remote birthday party, skip the helium balloons. "Helium balloons can travel long distances, get caught in power lines and hurt animals like birds and sea turtles, because, in the same way as plastic bags, they can be confused for Jellyfish ", explainsBrad Nahill, president and co-founder to see the turtles, whichProtects endangered sea turtles By supporting the communityConservation efforts.

Godfrey adds: "If you know a group scheduling a balloon release, ask them to consider another getting note."

The shells of endangered turtles and turtles are large companies all over the international black market. So, do your part by avoiding everything that seems suspect - especially all that involves the shell of the turtle falconbill in a critical way. (Here isHow to identify a Hawksbill turtle shell. You can get more informationWWF.) "When traveling, ask the suppliers which souvenirs are made and in case of doubt, do not buy items in question", exhorts Nahill.

It might seem obvious - we all try to avoid hitting animals when we drive - but because the turtles are slow moving, down floor, and travel often at night, they can be particularly easy to neglect up to what it is too late.

"Road mortality is a major problem for turtle populations," saysCraig Stanford,Professor of Biological Sciences and Anthropology at the University of Southern California. "Make an effort not to hit the turtles seen on the road. If you see a crossing the road, it's often a woman looking for a nesting site."

Beyond make sure you do not hit the reptiles, you can help prevent them from being hit by other motorists. Stanford suggests that if you spot one on the road, take it and get it on the edge of the road it was heading.

You may have heard about the term "light pollution", but for sea turtles, light can literally be deadly. This is because turtle turtles are attracted by light and can become disoriented by an artificial light near the beach, which can attract them more and more inside the earth that they will normally go, the Put at risk of being attacked by predators or running.

"The best option is to transform outdoor lights during the nesting season, usually from May to September but ampoules and luminaires of the sea turtle are also available," says Godfrey, including the conservation of the sea turtle has created aVideo on the subject and runs aLighting program by the sea. "Keeping sources of protected light from the beach andUse LED lights With longer wavelengths, such as amber or red colors, chairs-nauflings are much less likely to be disoriented. And for ways to make your home ecological, check30 ways to make your home more ecological.

Climate change is negatively impacted virtually all elements of the world ecosystem, but its effects on sea turtles are particularly devastating.

"The survival of the eggs incubating on the beaches is reduced by increasing the temperatures and, because the sexual intercourse of the tails is determined by the temperature of the nests, the rise in temperatures mainly produce female turtles on many beaches - which poses a threat to Long term of the survival of the species, "says Godfrey." As sea levels go up, we also see major impacts to nurse habitats. "

By solving such a massive problem, there are markets each of us to try to reverse theDamage to climate change. For example, Bandmere suggests that "you can have an impact on climate change by voting for politicians and policies that support emission reductions, eating less meat,walk and ride any moreand buy high quality products and ethical quality instead of larger amounts of lower quality. "

Think about giving some time on World Turtle Turtle Day, to this day to help the turtles of the sea. "Many organizations working directly with sea turtles rely on volunteers to complete their work, "said Bandmere. "In addition, you have the chance to interact responsibly with turtles."

Godfrey also suggests that those who live near sea turtle populations join the beach cleaning. "Plastic and marine debris are a major problem for sea turtles," he says. "If you live near or visit a beach, how about to lead or participate in a cleaning of the beach? Remove the garbage and plastic of our beaches is good for sea turtles, shorebirds and states -United." Bonus: This is a good activity that you can participate at a distance of six feet sure!

Even if you do not live near great turtle habitats, it does not mean that you can not do your part to help you protect the turtles of the sea. All the different organizations cited in this article are worthy of Work to protect turtle populations and use your financial support.

The WORLD WILDLIFE FUND exploits aAdopt a sea turtle Program that helps protect animals from the aforementioned dangers (and a monthly donation comes with a complete adoption kit with a Farcie sea turtle). The ocean societyAccept donations For his efforts to combat pollution and climate change, and to help cultivate sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The conservation of the sea turtle offers its ownAdopt-a-turtle Program to help Florida sea turtle populations. Stanford also suggests financially supporting theAlliance of Survival of Turtle and theTurtle conservation.

And see turtles'Sea Turtle Emergency Fund supports community projects around the world. "Sea turtle projects around the world have been influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic," she notes. "The combination of loss of revenue and help covering the nesting range of international volunteers and travelers with greater food and revenue despair causes increased turtle eggs and hunting." If you can afford it, $ 10 save at least 100 charts!