DID YOU KNOW?
Green sea turtles have a heart shaped shell!
One of the largest turtles, the Green sea turtle can live for more than 60 years and can grow up to 4 feet. This makes some of the green turtles bigger than most 8 year olds! The Green sea turtle plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. One of their important roles in the ocean is that they support the continued growth of seagrass by continually grazing it. It is important to keep this seagrass productive because the it serves as a shelter to many fish and invertebrates, many of which are key to maintaining the fishing communities and food security.
AN ANCIENT BEING
In Hawaii, the Green turtle is known as honu. Honu has a special place in Hawaiian culture and is believed to be the literal foundation of some islands. The turtle, Kauila, is also an important figure in Hawaiian culture and is believed to transform herself into a girl to watch over children playing by the shore. The turtle plays a major role in many creation myths around the world. Another legend, "The Sky Woman", of Iroquois origin tells the story of how earth rests on the back of a giant turtle, depicting the significance of turtles from the beginning of time itself. Today we know for a fact that turtles are one of the most ancient reptiles and have existed since the time of the dinosaurs into the modern era. To this day honu is the symbol for good luck in Hawaii as it reminds us of the connection between man and the sea.
You can read the entire Iroquois creation story here.
Green Sea Turtle eats a jellyfish, National Geographic
CURRENT STATUS:
The species is currently listed as threatened in Hawaii (under the ESA) and endangered everywhere else.
CHALLENGES:
Current threats to the Green sea turtle are the disease Fibropapilloma and the over-harvesting of eggs and meat to be sold. The disease results in a tumor that can obstruct their eyesight or mouth which leaves them unable to avoid predators or eat food. Other threats include the destruction of nesting and feeding areas on beaches, and being caught as by-catch during fishing expeditions, specifically the technique of casting nets to catch wild shrimp. Nearshore hook and line fisheries in Hawaii are also a major problem for green turtles. These kinds of entanglement can cause long term harm to turtles and often results in death.
GREEN SEA TURTLE
GREEN SEA TURTLE
OUR ALLY FOR PROTECTING THE GREEN SEA TURTLE
HAWAII WILDLIFE FUND
The Hawaii Wildlife Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Hawaii's native wildlife through research, education, and advocacy. Their work includes cleaning up plastic debris found on beaches, as these pieces both entangle and kill sea turtles by ingestion. They also watch over their sea turtle nests (and protect nesting mothers and hatchlings of both Hawksbills and Green turtles), support the hatchlings' natural process as they emerge and crawl into the sea, and protect them from invasive predators like rats and mongoose and from human disturbances like beach traffic and artificial light which can endanger or disorient hatchlings.
Our allies at Hawaii Wildlife Fund have suggested these actions that can help save the Green sea turtles
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Give sea turtles at least 10 feet distance both in water and on land when you see them, although more than 10 feet is better and avoid blocking their access to the ocean.
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If you live in the islands or are visiting, you can join a beach clean up, or volunteer.
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Turn off your lights at night if you live near the ocean, where turtles nest, or use a yellow or red light.
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Don’t use flash photography as it can distract and direct the hatchlings away from the ocean.
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Donate to Hawaii Wildlife Fund’s Honu Watch Campaign
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Everything we do on land affects the ocean, so live with that in mind.
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