The Pacific Ocean is home to sea turtles, a keystone species. They distribute nutrients throughout the waters, positively influencing ecosystems\u2014especially those that exhibit poor primary productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also help maintain stable dune vegetation critical to their reproductive success. Additionally, marine turtles keep the numbers of jellyfish, sponges, and seagrass in check<\/a>, encouraging the faster and healthier growth of seabeds while supporting the food chain\u2019s integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are unquestionably critical to the undersea environment. Their extinction would catastrophically impact our delicate life systems. Hence, Paso Pacifico has been committed to saving the Pacific Slope\u2019s sea turtles<\/a> for the past 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where do sea turtles live? You can find these animals in all of the world\u2019s oceans except for polar waters where they find it difficult to regulate their temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pacific has the most abundant populations. You can find six of the seven turtle species in existence here. Here\u2019s a look at them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Natator depressus or flatback turtle is native to Australia<\/a>, Papua New Guinea, and Irian Jaya\u2019s south coast. Though it can be found across these 3 areas, it only breeds in the Land Down Under, specifically Crab Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria<\/a> which has the world\u2019s largest flatback rookery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foraging behavior is flexible; however, the furthest distance they\u2019ve covered is over 1,500 miles<\/a> from their original nesting site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chelonia mydas or green turtle can be found globally but its East Pacific subspecies has been classified as endangered<\/a>. The overharvesting of eggs and turtles has led to its dramatic population decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eretmochelys imbricata or hawksbill turtle lives in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. They nest in<\/a> Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The largest site is the Estero Padre Ramos Natural Reserve<\/a> which has 150 to 300 sea turtles<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Demochely coriacea or leatherback turtle swims 3,700 miles at a time to feed and breed during migration, creating an extensive distribution worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leatherbacks nest in Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica. But its largest nesting area is in Papua Barat, Indonesia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sadly, its nesting activities remain low. Leatherbacks lay fewer eggs<\/a> than other turtle species. And with infertile eggs in every clutch, they have low reproductive success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caretta carettas or loggerheads are tracked by satellite more than any other creature<\/a> on Earth. They have been known to swim almost 8,000 miles<\/a> from Japan to the coastal regions of California and Baja Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Central North Pacific area has been shown to be vital for juvenile loggerheads during developmental foraging<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lepidochelys olivacea or olive ridley turtles live in circumtropical regions. The Pacific\u2019s warm waters, particularly Costa Rica and Mexico, are prime nesting grounds. They mate en masse in the area, an event known as arribada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mexico is home to the largest nesting sites, with the biggest one in Playa La Escobilla. The Mexican waterfront sanctuary is where more than 2 million<\/a> turtles nest annually. Meanwhile, the rookeries at the Ostional Beach in Costa Rica host nearly half a million<\/a> egg-laying females in one season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nesting has also grown to include 2 new beaches in Costa Rica, Corozalito and Camaronal, where over 47,000 nests<\/a> were recorded in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pacific Ocean sea turtles are prey for many animals<\/a> but their biggest threat is rooted in human activities, primarily:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Longline hooks, shrimp trawl nets, and gillnets accidentally capture thousands of turtles each year. The term for this is \u201cbycatch.\u201d It is the deadliest threat to this protected species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leatherheads, green turtles, and loggerheads are at greater risk due to their feeding grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly a fourth<\/a> of sandy beaches around the world are disappearing by -1.6 feet annually because of anthropogenic and natural influences. As they erode, suitable nesting sites<\/a> become fewer, giving turtles fewer places where they can lay eggs, hatch them, and allow their offspring to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As coastal developments increase, they encroach on vital nesting areas<\/a>. Seawalls that mitigate waves also affect these species by creating impenetrable barriers during turtles\u2019 prime nesting seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We add as much as 12 million tons of plastic<\/a> into our oceans annually. Each year, at least 1,000 turtles die from plastic waste entanglement<\/a> while 22% of them swallow it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accidental ingestion happens because plastic looks like jellyfish in the water. When turtles mistakenly consume plastic, it leads to lacerations<\/a>, perforations in the gastrointestinal tract, and obstructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Temperature influences gender. When temperatures are cooler, more male turtles are produced while warmer environments result in more females<\/a>. Turtle populations could become disproportionately female due to global warming<\/a>, influencing their reproductive abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over 1.1 million turtles<\/a> were illegally trafficked and killed from 1990 to 2020. In 95% of cases, hawksbill and green turtles were poached. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These majestic creatures are harvested for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Illegal exploitation has declined<\/a> over the past decade. This was likely brought on by domestic and international conservation efforts and intergovernmental conservation initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hundreds of sea turtles are injured or killed from colliding with vessels each year. With many unnoticed or unreported incidents<\/a>, the actual mortality rates are much higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how we can safeguard the species:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Predators, disorienting artificial light, litter, and other obstacles\u2014many factors keep young hatchlings from reaching the ocean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also best practices<\/a>\u2014such as keeping the area clear, leaving nests alone, and calling local wildlife authorities\u2014that can ensure their survival. Know what to do and share it with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic affects turtles of the Pacific Ocean at every stage of their lifecycle. It affects migration behavior by creating blockades, obstructing the digestive tract when they mistake it for food, and has hormone-disrupting effects<\/a> leading to the birth of more females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoiding single-use plastic is a great start to avoiding these harmful consequences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay away from commercial cleaning products that have toxic chemicals. These inevitably find their way into our oceans. They can present toxicity to aquatic species like turtles<\/a>, leading to skin lesions and respiratory problems<\/a>. They may even cause death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, switch to natural cleaning products to keep their habitats clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reckless fishing is bad for the sea turtles of the Pacific Ocean. If you\u2019re indulging in this recreational hobby, make sure to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should you accidentally catch a sea turtle, reel it in and cut the line as close to the hook as possible. As you do this, keep your hands away from its mouth and flippers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeing turtles in their natural habitat is a rewarding experience but maintain at least a 50-yard distance<\/a>. This will keep them from becoming distressed and help them avoid drowning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring sea turtles\u2019 survival requires collective, multilateral measures. Fortunately, laws like the Endangered Species Act<\/a> are helping them grow their numbers. Selling and trading these creatures is now deemed illegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSea Turtles and Their Habitats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Flatback Turtle <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Green Turtle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hawksbill Turtle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Leatherback Turtle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Loggerhead Turtle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Olive Ridley Turtle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Major Threats To Sea Turtles <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fishing <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Habitat Destruction <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plastic Pollution <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Climate Change <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Illegal Harvesting <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Vessel Strikes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Protect the Sea Turtles of the Pacific Ocean <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Protect Nesting Beaches <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reduce Plastic Use <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t Use Cleaning Products With Harmful Chemicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Be Careful With Fishing Gear <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Maintain Safe Distances <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get Involved With Paso Pacifico <\/h2>\n\n\n\n