World Sea Turtle Day: Why we need them and they need us
We have a unique opportunity to help these threatened ancient animals
World Sea Turtle Day | Sunday, 16 June: As poaching, pollution and climate change are impacting biodiversity across the continent, this day highlights the importance of sea turtles to our marine ecosystems – and the ways we can help our ancient ocean ally.
Sea turtles have survived for more than 200 million years. However, they currently face grave threats, from loss of nesting sites due to coastal development to entanglement and drowning in fishing nets or abandoned fishing gear. They also frequently ingest plastics, mistaking them for jellyfish, and in some countries, they are still being hunted for their meat and eggs.
South Africa’s oceans are home to five turtle species – hawksbill and green turtles are classed as “critically endangered” while loggerhead, Olive Ridley and leatherback turtles are classed as “vulnerable”.
“South Africa’s sea turtles urgently need our help. Though they outlasted the dinosaurs, our industrialised impact endangers them and the critical role they play in marine ecosystems,” says Peter Knights, CEO at Wild Africa Fund
Turtles serve both as prey for various predators, such as sharks and orcas, and assist in population control of their own prey, such as aquatic invertebrates, jellyfish and small fish – all helping to maintain ecological balance. They alter their habitats by digging nests and foraging in reefs, enhancing habitat complexity. They are also important for nutrient cycling; by feeding on decaying organic matter they help return nutrients to the ecosystem.
The strong storms and winds we experience in the Western Cape, intensified by climate change, pose a great risk, often throwing turtles off their course and leaving them stranded on beaches. Fortunately, organisations like the Two Oceans Aquarium carry out rescue missions to save them, rehabilitating and then releasing stranded turtles.
Other turtles they rescue need assistance freeing them of plastic, and this forms a big part of the awareness drive that the Two Oceans Aquarium is spearheading.
“In our research facility we’ve seen a huge number of turtles come in with ingested plastic, and this causes huge damage to their gut,” says Talitha Noble, Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. “But there’s lots that the public can do. Firstly, we can tell people how cool turtles are! When we discover how amazing marine life is, we’re inspired to care for their environment. Secondly, we can become intentional about what plastic we use and how we recycle or dispose of it, where we shop, and the food that we eat. Thirdly, we can keep our eyes open for stranded turtles, especially during the stranding season from March to July,” she continues.
Wild Africa Fund and Two Oceans Aquarium partner to raise awareness around the aquarium’s work, educating the public about our oceans and the ways people depend on natural ecosystems.
“We need to reach audiences that are otherwise removed from these kinds of conversations. Everyone uses plastic so can help by using less, recycling and carefully disposing of any waste rather than tossing it away to end up potentially killing a turtle,” says Peter Knights. “Ahead of World Sea Turtle Day, we hope that the government, businesses and the public can work together to ensure that we keep these important animals from extinction,” he concludes.
About Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is a South African non-profit, public benefit organisation (PBO) focused on inspiring people to take action for the ocean and building connections between communities and the marine ecosystem. Founded in 2018, the Foundation continues the legacy of marine sciences education, conservation and research efforts of the Two Oceans Aquarium – a key player in environmental awareness, action, and passion in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The Foundation continues to expand its wide range of public benefit activities while increasing positive social and environmental impact through sharing information and inspiring behaviour change. Our programmes relate to and are fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
About Wild Africa Fund
Wild Africa Fund aims to be Africa’s most effective conservation communicator, inspiring the public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces forever. We believe people and wildlife can only survive and thrive together, so we are popularising conservation with a much broader audience than has previously been engaged. By amplifying the voices of African opinion leaders from every field through a powerful network of media partners and diverse programming, we seek to promote domestic wildlife tourism, local conservation projects and the passage and effective enforcement of conservation laws. Through our communications and direct support, we also aim to deliver permanent reductions in wildlife crime, the demand for illegal bushmeat, human/wildlife conflict and habitat loss. Our network includes more than 30 national and international broadcasters, as well as radio, newspaper, billboard, PR and social media companies, who work with us pro bono to add their voices and promote conservation and environmental issues. We partner with over 160 ambassadors from music, sports, film, TV, business, religion and government from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana and Namibia.