Green sea turtles, classified as endangered, face several significant threats that impact their populations. Like other sea turtles, they undertake extensive migrations between feeding grounds and their hatching beaches.
Threats to Green Sea Turtles
Based on the provided information, green sea turtles are primarily affected by human-related activities and habitat loss. These factors contribute to their endangered status.
Here are the key issues affecting green sea turtles:
- Overharvesting of Eggs: The excessive collection of green sea turtle eggs from nesting beaches significantly reduces the number of new turtles entering the population.
- Hunting of Adults: The direct hunting of adult green turtles poses a major threat, removing reproductive individuals from the population and further impacting species recovery.
- Being Caught in Fishing Gear: Green turtles are often unintentionally caught in various types of fishing gear, such as nets and lines. This bycatch can lead to injury or drowning.
- Loss of Nesting Beach Sites: Coastal development, erosion, and other factors lead to the destruction or degradation of the sandy beaches where green turtles lay their eggs. This loss of critical habitat makes successful nesting difficult or impossible.
These combined pressures highlight the vulnerability of green sea turtles and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect them and their habitats.
