Duuude… it’s World Turtle Day!

When I say the word turtle, most people think of the hand-sized freshwater turtles many people have as pets. But did you know that there are giant turtles that live in the oceans?
Sea turtles have swum the oceans for over 100 million years and are the only widely distributed marine reptiles. Globally, there are seven species of sea turtles and many migrate for thousands of kilometers between rich feeding grounds and warm nesting beaches. The largest is the leatherback, which can grow up to 8 feet in length and can top out the scales at a whopping 2000 pounds! Despite its enormous size, this amazing animal survives by gracefully swimming the world’s oceans in search of juicy jellyfish. Compare that, if you will, to a Smart car on its way back from a grocery run – leatherbacks are about the same size and weight, and heaps more graceful.

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill turtle in coral reef. Brazil Project . © Guy Marcovaldi / WWF-Canon
Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill turtle in coral reef. Brazil Project . © Guy Marcovaldi / WWF-Canon

Despite having outlived the dinosaurs by almost 70 million years, these ancient mariners are in trouble – and most species are on the brink of extinction. For centuries, turtles and their eggs have been an important resource for food, but the majestic animals are now increasingly seeing their nesting beaches destroyed, while others are being caught by commercial fishing fleets hunting for other species. Human waste is also taking a toll on turtle populations, and many are perishing after ingesting the inedible plastic waste that litters our oceans. Today, six of the seven living species of sea turtle are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. They’ve survived so much over 100 million years, but will they really not survive us?
Atlantic Canadian waters are important feeding grounds for both the leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. Like their jellyfish-eating cousins, loggerheads are also large (reaching lengths of 3’ and up to 300 lbs) and highly migratory. They are also carnivorous and have powerful, muscular jaws so they can eat hard-shelled prey like molluscs and crustaceans.
We are just beginning to understand more about why and how these species use our waters, however, one thing we already know is that they are being impacted by fishing activities. Globally, incidental capture in fishing gear is one of the main threats to sea turtles and Canada is no exception. Every year, hundreds of turtles are captured during fishing activities. Many are released alive, but just as many don’t make it. To better understand how our fisheries impact these endangered species, we’ve been working with our partners to identify where risky areas are and how the animals may interact with fishing gear. Through this research we can work together with fishermen to prevent fatalities.
The other key threat to turtles in our waters is from the ingestion of marine debris. One of the things I have hated seeing most when I’ve been out to sea conducting research are balloons. While signifying fun to those who decorate their homes with them celebrating birthdays or weddings – if captured by the wind and carried off, these bits of plastic often end up in our oceans where they can be mistaken by marine animals as food – like jellyfish. Once ingested, they can’t be readily broken down in stomachs and often end up causing blockages that lead to the starvation and death of the animal. It’s one of the main reasons why we need to make sure garbage ends up where it belongs – in the garbage! This is why initiatives like the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup held every September, is so important.
So, on World Turtle Day, celebrate knowing that these amazing animals are part of Canada’s natural heritage…perhaps by eating some yummy sustainable Canadian seafood which doesn’t harm sea turtles. Oh, and dude, no balloons please.