Legal Protections of the Green Turtle.
*CITES
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Treaty is an international agreement between 182 governments that became active in 1975. CITES aims to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival, preventing species from becoming endangered or extinct. Under CITES, animals close to extinction, such as our friend the green turtle, are given priority protection (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 2019). This means that international trade for commercial processes is essentially prohibited, which could play an instrumental role in restoring the green turtle population and eliminating the cruel poaching and trade of green turtles.
Needpix. (2019). Green Sea Turtles. Retrieved from https://www.needpix.com/photo/896769/turtle-green-sea-turtles-animals-sea-animals-life-salt-water-animals-nature-aquatic-animal-sea-turtle
Look at these beautiful creatures. The human race must work to preserve them!
*Marine Turtle Protection Act
The Marine Turtle Protection Act was passed in Florida, giving state agencies the power to enforce regulations protecting turtles and their habitat. The act prohibits the capture, possession, disturbance, mutilation, destruction, selling, transference, and harassment of marine turtles, nests, and eggs. Many counties and municipalities have passed regulations that restrict artificial light from reaching beaches, a factor that deters nesting females from coming ashore and disorients hatchlings trying to make their way to the sea (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2019). This makes an important impact on green sea turtles, as they are heavily locaated on the east coast of Florida (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2019).
*U.S. Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Endangered Species Act aims to conserve threatened and endangered plant and animal species, as well as their habitats. This act requires federal agencies to ensure that none of the actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are putting listed species or their habitats in jeopardy. It also forbids import, export, interstate, and foreign commerce of listed species. The main federal agencies responsible for implementing the ESA are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service (EPA, 2019). Marine mammals and sea turtles account for 38% of the 163 ESA-listed marine species (Suckling, Valdivia, Wolf, 2019). Under ESA, it is illegal to harm, harass or kill any sea turtles, hatchlings or their eggs. It is also illegal to import, sell, or transport turtles or turtle products. Because the slaughter of green turtles and the collection of their eggs are some of the biggest threats to their population, this act is a major step in preserving the precious green sea turtle species.
Good News!
Green Turtles RECOVERING Under the Endangered Species Act
A study conducted by UC Berkeley researchers provides strong evidence of the increase in sea turtle populations following the enactment of ESA. It was discovered that 75% of the U.S. based sea turtle populations increased significantly after being listed on the act, while 25% of the sea turtle populations experienced no significant changes. Zero listed sea turtle populations continued to decline after ESA protection (Suckling, Valdivia, Wolf, 2019). This data tells us that it IS possible to save the green turtle!
But… Green Turtles Need YOU to Keep the ESA Going!
The Endangered Species Act is in the process of being undermined and weakened by America’s current Administration. The new proposal would end all protections over threatened species and others that are not labelled as endangered; this, in turn, would lead more species to extinction as more animals go unprotected. The proposal also asks that the economic impacts of endangered species are excluded from reports, which would create less incentive to save them. This is a big problem for many species like the green turtle, which offer immense economic value to humans. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE ESA HERE:
https://seaturtles.org/trump-administration-finalizes-rules-to-weaken-endangered-species-act/
The green sea turtle needs your help in rising up to keep this imperative law in action. At such a critical point in environmental history, the last thing we need is more vital species going extinct. Things are looking up for the green turtle and we must keep it that way! Use your voice to advocate for the ESA to U.S. government officials by writing letters, making phone calls, creating or signing petitions, and attending activism events!