COWABUNGA

1) Sea Turtles

Environmental Encyclopedia

Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe, and Mary Ann Cunningham. Vol. 2. 3rded. Detroit: Gale, 2003. p1263-1264. COPYRIGHT 2003, 2006 Gale

Sea turtle populations have dramatically declined in numbers over the past half century. Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp's Ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerheads (Caretta caretta), and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) have all had their numbers decimated by human activity. The decline has been caused by several factors, including the development of a highly industrialized fishery to meet the demand for seafood on a worldwide basis. The most economical fishing method involves pulling multiple nets underwater for extended periods of time, and any air-breathing animals, such as sea turtles, which get caught in the net are usually drowned before they are hoisted on board.

2) Conservation of Pacific Sea Turtles

by Dutton, Peter, Squires, Dale, Ahmed, Mahfuzuddin

University of Hawaii Press

July 2011

"Recovery of Pacific sea turtle populations requires a holistic approach that addresses all sources of morality.In the Pacific, populations of some species of sea turtles face extinction unless the recent dramatic declines are revered. This issue has become so pressing that fisheries management must now address incidental takes of sea turtles, and in some fisheries this issue is driving fishery management.  " (pg.1 chapter 1) 

3) Tampa Bay Times

June 15, 2012 Friday 

4 State / Suncoast Edition

PROTECT THE BEACHES WE SHARE WITH TURTLES
BYLINE: GARY APPELSON
SECTION: NATIONAL; Pg. 15A
LENGTH: 680 words

Protecting sea turtles in Florida takes vigilance, cooperation and balance. After all, our sea turtles have to share the beach with millions of residents and tens of millions of annual tourists. Florida has strong sea turtle protection laws in place and Floridians take sea turtle protection seriously. Many hundreds of volunteers also play a vital role by walking our beaches at night to collect data and monitor sea turtlenesting.

Sea turtles to me are the most peaceful, carefree, fascinating creatures that have ever lived on this earth. They live for many years and have been on this earth for a long time. All three of my resources relate to the decline of sea turtle's population. I feel very strongly about preventing these animals to go extinct because of human negligence. Each resource explains how if we do not do something about this problem the sea turtles will no longer exist. If my theme were a symbol for something it would stand for (inhumanity) people are not caring enough to save these animals. The world needs to show more compassion because we all share this planet and we are wiping out an entire species that has lived on it longer than us.