Yeliana Yasmin Andara Sangronis

Due to conservation efforts, green sea turtles along the coasts of Florida and Mexico’s Pacific coast have been officially classified as ‘threatened.’ They were first listed as critically endangered in 1978 (Christina Beck).

Green sea turtle populations in Florida along the Pacific coast of Mexico have benefited from years of coordinated conservation efforts (NOAA). With this being said, The Fish and Wildlife Service publicly announced the following news: the turtle species has fared so well they’re no longer considered an endangered species.

Green Sea Turtles.

The largest turtle species known is the green sea turtle after the greenish color of their cartilage and fat. This species is also known as the only herbivore among all the different species. It is important to note that they are mainly found in tropical and subtropical waters. They migrate long distances between feeding grounds as well as the beaches where they hatched, much like other sea turtles. However, green sea turtles became threatened by overharvesting of their eggs, hunting of adults, being caught in fishing gear, and loss of nesting beach sites; thus, classified as endangered.

Positive News.

Scientists have reclassified the status of those two breeding populations as threatened, rather than endangered. Indeed, there are 2,250 nesting females in Florida alone, up from just a handful in 1978. (Graph credit: NOAA)

Nevertheless, threats remain for green sea turtles globally, the reclassification of green sea turtles in Florida and Mexico shows how the Endangered Species Act-inspired partnerships between the federal agencies, states, NGOs, also countries are making a difference for the world´s most endangered species (Dan Ashe, director of Fish and Wildlife Service).

When the COVID-19 lockdown first went into effect, the internet could not stop talking about: animals “returning” to nature in the absence of human activity. Indeed, a record-breaking number of vulnerable sea turtles nested on a Mexican beach in November 2020. Additionally, these turtles also flourished on Brazil’s empty beaches and broke nesting records on Thailand beaches. Equally important, other animals have also enjoyed the absence of humans. To point out a few: lions in South Africa, pink dolphins in Hong Kong, and dolphins in Italy. 

Today, lockdowns have become a way of living life; the majority of humanity spend their days tucked into their home. With that being said, the environment has gotten a break from the pollution of everyday activity. Many may argue on the impact quarantine has had on the mental health status among the general population. However, for those who are continually experiencing the psychological burden of self-isolation, there are various ways to remain connected to the outside world. Below are some ideas to help you stay connected while practising social distancing:

• Scheduling video chats with friends and family.
• Begin your own blog/vlog/podcast, let your creativity flow!
• Practice (remore) acts of kindness.
• Play video games with your friends.
• Share stories, tag your friends and family in those throwback photos and unlock memories.
• Learn new skills, take your career or hobby to the next level.
• Take a virtual exercise class, there are plenty of workouts online.
• Watch live concerts on Facebook and Youtube, relax after a long day!
• Join online book clubs or discussion groups.

Truly, quarantine plays an important role in preserving nature. Similarly, green sea turtles play an important role in the ocean ecosystems by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs; providing habitat for other marine life, keeping marine food webs in place and promoting nutrient cycling from water to land.

Bibliography:

• By Good News Network -. (2016, April 18). Success: Green Sea Turtles of Florida and Mexico No Longer Endangered. Good News Network. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/green-sea-turtles-florida-mexico-no-longer-endangered/  
• Green Turtle | Sea Turtles | Species | WWF. (n.d.). World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/green-turtle 
• Information About Sea Turtles: Green Sea Turtle – Sea Turtle Conservancy. (n.d.). Sea Turtle Conservancy. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-green-sea-turtle/ 
• 10 ideas for staying connected while practicing social distancing. (n.d.). Unitron. Retrieved March 14, 2021, from https://www.unitron.com/in/en_in/learn/ten-ideas-for-staying-connected-while-practicing-social-distancing.html 
• Sea Turtles 101. (n.d.). Animals. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/green-sea-turtle