There are many reasons why Green Sea Turtles and Leatherback Sea Turtles are endangered species. Increased water temperatures due to global warming and climate change is amongst the top of the list. Turtles are also smaller consumers on the marine food chain, which means that they are often eaten as run off, and a lot of the time they are accidentally captured by fisherman because of their small size shortly after hatching.

Recent efforts by larger companies such as Taco Bell, Starbucks, and McDonald’s to eliminate plastic straws and replace them with better paper alternatives has led to national awareness of the harm of single-use plastic products. In order to make a change and save marine mammals, people need to stop using all single-use plastics. Good alternatives include: metal straws, reusable water bottles, and paper options for things such as takeout food.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a mound of 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic trapped in the Pacific Ocean, is growing and causing harm to turtles and other marine organisms. We are hoping to help by organizing beach cleanups along with advocating for the use of reusable and sustainable materials. Many smaller local companies such as: Lazy Acres, Hi-Fi Espresso, and Rabano are opting to use paper or metal straws and utensils rather than plastic ones that harm marine life.

Green Sea turtles are one of the very few animals that eat seagrass. Seagrass is similar to lawn grass, in the way that it constantly needs to be cut to remain healthy. Seagrass beds provide safe breeding grounds for several species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. A recent decline in seagrass beds can be linked to a decreasing Green Sea turtle population. This is known as a trophic cascade, when a decline or loss in apex consumers, like the Green Sea turtle, directly leads to a decline in all of the other organisms lower down on the food chain. This thereby effects humans who consume fish, which rely on algae living on seagrass.

Sea turtles are part of two important ecosystems: the marine ecosystem and the beach ecosystem. Without sea turtles, both ecosystems would be severely harmed. Not only would loss of important marine life happen, but humans would be impacted greatly. Humans use the beach ecosystem for several activities, such as transportation, fitness exertions, and protection from erosion. The marine ecosystem is used as a source of food and transportation. In fact, approximately 16% of world protein consumption by humans comes from the ocean. Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of the marine and beach ecosystems, which make up about 71% of the planet.

Sea turtles protect beaches from erosion. Sand contains very few nutrients, and sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand. Not all eggs hatch, leaving nutrients that help protect the beaches against erosion by waves and currents.