Threats to turtles Marine turtles are recognised internationally as species of conservation concern. Six of the species found in Australia are listed in the 2000 IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Animals. All the six species which occur in Australian waters are listed under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The loggerhead and olive ridley turtle are listed as endangered under this Act which means that the species may become extinct if the threats to its survival continue. The green, leatherback, hawksbill and flatback turtles are listed as vulnerable which means that they may become endangered if threats continue. All marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival. The main threats are pollution and changes to important turtle habitats, especially coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests and nesting beaches. One of the most significant threats now comes from bycatch. Other threats include accidental drowning in fishing gear, over-harvesting of turtles and eggs, and predation of eggs and hatchlings by foxes, feral pigs, dogs and goannas. The biggest danger to sea turtles is humans. For centuries they have been hunted for their meat, eggs and their shells. Even with conservation efforts these events continue to take place all over the world. Humans also continue to remove the natural environment of sea turtles is also a concern. It is estimated that about 150,000 of them die annually due to boating accidents or getting caught up in fishing nets designed to capture other forms of aquatic life. Even living in the oceans has become a problem for the sea turtles due the wastes and pollution in them. All marine turtle species occurring in Australian waters are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In addition, all marine turtles occurring in the Indo-Pacific region are a priority for conservation under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention or CMS). In summary, threats to turtles include: - Destruction of feeding grounds such as seagrass beds;
- Degradation of breeding sites;
- Artificial lights (street and house lighting) near breeding beaches that disorientate hatchlings;
- Predation on hatchlings and eggs by foxes, pigs, goanna;
- Entanglement in fishing gear, such as trawl nets;
- Direct hits by boats;
- Ingestion of plastic bags, thought by turtles to be jellyfish;
- Over harvesting of turtles and eggs, especially affecting green and hawksbill populations.
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Turtle killed for its meat
Image © kahunapulej
Flickr
Injured Kemp Ridley Turtle with adamaged carapace from
a collision with a boat prpopellor
Image © pajarero
Flickr
Many turtles are killed for their shells
| FAQs
Australia is home to six of the world's seven species of marine turtle species – green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley, and the flatback turtle, a species that nests only on our shores.
What are the facts about the Australian sea turtle? ›
Marine turtles migrate long distances between their feeding grounds and nesting sites. They have a large shell called a carapace, four strong, paddle-like flippers and like all reptiles, lungs for breathing air. The characteristic beak-like mouth is used to shear or crush food.
Which sea turtle can only be found off the coast of Australia? ›
Flatback turtles are only found on the continental shelf of Australia. Although they feed around Papua New Guinea and Indonesia as well as within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, they nest only in Australia.
Why do only 1 in 1000 sea turtles survive? ›
Only about one in 1,000 turtles survive to adulthood. Hatchlings die of dehydration if they don't make it to the ocean fast enough. Birds, crabs, and other animals also prey on the young turtles.
How many marine turtles are left in the world? ›
There Are Only About 6.5 Million Sea Turtles Left in the Wild.
Are marine turtles endangered? ›
Nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered. WWF is committed to stopping the decline of sea turtles and works for the recovery of the species.
How big do Australian turtles get? ›
This is a term given to baby turtles as they are usually the size of a penny. Most Australian turtle species grow to about the size of a dinner plate, or with a shell diameter of 20-30cm.
What is the lifespan of an Australian turtle? ›
After a few months the eggs hatch and the hatchling turtles make their way to the water, where they typically take around 10 years to grow to maturity. Little is known about the life span of Australian freshwater turtles, but they can probably live for 50 years or more.
How many sea turtles survive each year? ›
Few survive to adulthood, with estimates ranging from one in 1,000 to one in 10,000. Sea turtles' natural lifespan is estimated to be 50-100 years. An adult hawksbill sea turtle eats an average of 1,200 pounds of sponges a year.
What is the rarest turtle in Australia? ›
The western swamp turtle is a Critically Endangered reptile endemic to Western Australia, and is facing mounting pressure from climate change. Only an estimated 50 mature individuals remain in two small isolated wetland reserves about 30km north of Perth.
There are six species of marine turtles found in Australian waters and all of them are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Sometimes turtles may interact with fishing boats that use trawl or longline gear.
What are the predators of sea turtles in Australia? ›
Natural predators include birds and crabs (when hatchlings are making the treacherous journey across the sand to the water) and sharks.
How old is the oldest sea turtle? ›
It was discovered in Colombia with the Lower Cretaceous Paja Formation. This placed its age around 120 million years, making it the oldest known sea turtle, a title which was previously held by Santanachelys gaffneyi.
What would happen if all sea turtles died? ›
The reactions could result in many more marine species being lost and eventually impacting humans. So if sea turtles go extinct, there would be a serious decline in sea grass beds and a decline in all the other species dependent upon the grass beds for survival.
Why not to touch sea turtles? ›
Attempting to closely approach or touch marine animals, like otters, seals, dolphins, sea turtles, or manta rays could seriously injure them, cause them to flee, or evoke aggressive behavior, using up the precious energy they need to perform basic life activities.
How many species of marine turtles are there? ›
Seven species of sea turtles can be found in every ocean around the world. From leatherbacks to loggerheads, six of the seven species are threatened or endangered at the hand of humans. Below you can learn about each of the species including their biology, ecology, threats, and distribution.
Which sea turtle breeds only in Australia? ›
An adult flatback weighs 200 pounds and is approximately 3 feet in length. They have the smallest distribution of all the species and breed and nest only in Australia.
What 5 species of sea turtles are found in US waters? ›
Turtle shells, along with other features, are used to distinguish between species of sea turtles. The green, hawksbill (rare visitor to the Northeast), Kemp's ridley, leatherback, and loggerhead sea turtles, are found in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean.
How many aquatic turtles are there? ›
Seven species of sea turtles grace all the world's oceans, except for the Arctic: the flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley. Many species of sea turtle are highly migratory, travelling hundreds or even thousands of miles between foraging and nesting grounds.
