Every animal that becomes extinct is a loss that the world will never recover from. Some have been here for centuries, only to be killed directly or indirectly by human activity in a couple of generations. Even though there are conservation efforts to save our wildlife, it does not seem to be enough, and many species are heading towards critically endangered status.
One such species is the sea turtle. Fishers depend on them to control seagrass, and they heavily contribute to the nutrient cycling on beaches, enriching coastal environments and supporting a variety of wildlife. Beyond that, they are adorable. Families and children drive hours just to see these benevolent creatures, perhaps due to their chill and friendly persona they are often portrayed as in shows and movies. Regardless, they are loved by all, yet to this day still face endangered status. This is due to numerous problems, including bycatching in commercial and recreational fisheries. However, their loss of nesting habitats is especially noticeable, contributing significantly to their declining population.
Ensuring the availability and safety of these areas can be immense for this species. Because of this, Joint Region Marianas (JRM) is holding a project that seeks to protect these areas, providing sea turtle nest monitoring and nest protection, predator control, and invasive vegetation removal at beaches with suitable habitats. This project will be performed with all appropriate regulations, statues, and laws, including the Endangered Species Act. Protecting these areas can give insight to valuable information about the number of nests, the species involved, and the conditions of nesting that can help future sea turtles.
This monitoring can also play a vital role in habitat preservation. As coastal development increases and natural habitats are repeatedly altered, sea turtles continue to face more and more obstacles, especially concerning habitat and nesting sites. By regularly monitoring these sites, conservationists can advocate for the protection of these areas, hopefully leading to a population growth.
If interested in this opportunity to help a declining population and an endangered species, click on the link to learn more. This project can save future generations of sea turtles, and more immediately it can help raise awareness for the plight of sea turtles today.