World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated every year on June 16 to raise awareness about the plight of sea turtles. Did you know that every year, about eight tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans? That is extremely hazardous to sea turtles, so much so that six out of eight marine turtle species are on the verge of extinction. There are many other threats to sea turtles, such as encroachment of coastal development on nesting beaches, marine pollutants, accidental drowning on fishing gear, and the international turtle meat trade. Join hands with us to raise awareness about this important issue and save lives.

HISTORY OF WORLD SEA TURTLE DAY

World Sea Turtle Day is observed on July 16, the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, known as the “father of sea turtle biology.” Dr. Carr is well-known for devoting his entire career to the research and conservation of sea turtles. Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on Earth, having remained ‌unchanged for 110 million years. Most information on these creatures has focused on their nesting females and hatchlings, but new research techniques, such as satellite tracking technology, have allowed scientists to gain insights into their lives.

During summers, turtles follow an ancient reproductive ritual, in which the female leaves the sea and crawls to shore to dig a nest in the sand. The female turtle uses her rear flippers to dig the nest hole and then lays about 100 eggs. After laying the eggs, the turtle covers them and camouflages the nest site before returning to the ocean. Nesting turtles may return to the nesting site for laying eggs several times and usually nest every two to three years.

Temperature has a significant impact on the sea turtle sex ratio. Warmer temperatures produce more females, while cooler temperatures are found to produce more males. Eggs hatch after an incubation of two months. The hatching moves towards the sea in the night by using the bright view of the night sky. Artificial lights can distract the hatchlings from finding their way to the ocean.